Running Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

[Mark2010]

Globe & Mail says the NHL and NBC agreed to a $2 billion deal over that 10 years.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/NBC-Versus-win-NHL-TV-rights-in-bidding-war-vs-?urn=nhl-wp2944

Good. I consider NBC's coverage to be better than what predecessors FOX and ABC gave the league. ABC has the NBA now, CBS has the PGA Tour, FOX has NASCAR on Sundays in the spring. Not much room for the NHL to go anywhere else.

Versus has improved every year and is getting to be more and more widely available. Honestly, I've never had a problem with getting Versus anywhere I've lived. I suspect this contract will actually serve to put Versus more in demand for various cable systems.

And on Versus, the NHL doesn't have to compete against the NBA and Major League Baseball for the best time slots the way it would on ESPN or other cable networks. Versus has run playoff doubleheaders every night -- something I doubt that ESPN would commit to given its other properties.

So unless you happen to be one of the unfortunates in a place that can't get Versus, I think the deal is good.

 

[mb]

EDIT -- Per Bob McKenzie on Twitter, one game each for Kunitz and Downie.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/NHL-hands-Chris-Kunitz-Steve-Downie-1-game-susp?urn=nhl-wp2968

Wow. On the Fly guys all were saying 3 for Kunitz. And the guy Downie hit said he had no problems with the way he was hit.

CONSPIRACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/see, that last part is sarcasm

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

I'd bet if it happened in the regular season, it would have been three or longer.

 

[Mark2010]

Bobby Ryan got two games and everyone else (Stoll, Kunitz, Downie) only gets one?

 

[JR]

The Hawks anthem singer is friggin' brutal

 

[RickStain]

Story of the series: Vancouver's shot from the point hits two Blackhawks on the way in, including one at the last minute that changed it from going four feet wide to perfectly tucked in a corner.

Blackhawks got those bounces repeatedly last year, can't buy one this year.

 

[JR]

Two goals in 17 seconds by the Hawks. 3-1

 

[RickStain]

4-1 now. Before tonight, it reminded me of last year's WCF. Now it reminds me of San Jose-Detroit.

 

[JR]

Bolland with a goal and two assists in his first game back after his concussion. Mimico forkin' rules.

 

[Armchair_QB]

So... Canucks in 5?

 

[JR]

6-1. Luongo out. Canucks will close it out in Vancouver on Thursday

 

[dixiehack]

Can they borrow an extra penalty box from the Wolves?