The National Hockey League today released the national television schedules for the 2007-08 season. NBC will cover hockey on nine Sundays, utilizing a flexible schedule.
Of note:
- NBC will not cover the January 1 Penguins/Sabres game, which was to be the “Ice Bowl”.
- NBC will air its first regular season game involving a Canadian team when the Rangers battle Montreal on Superbowl Sunday. Not only will that game air opposite SuperBowl-related festivities on FOX, but the game will compete against ABC’s NBA game that afternoon (Mavericks/Pistons).
- The Rangers are candidates for the Game of the Week eight of the nine Sundays NBC airs games; the Penguins are candidates for seven of the nine Sundays — including every Sunday from February 10 to the end of the regular season.
- NBC’s schedule is Northeast heavy; seventeen of NBC’s twenty-five games feature the Rangers, Penguins, Flyers, Bruins or Sabres.
2007-08 NHL on NBC schedule.
(only one game will be chosen per week)
Sunday, Jan. 20
1:30 PM: Bruins at Rangers or Ducks at Stars
- The Anaheim Ducks may be Stanley Cup Champions, but expect NBC to go with the big-market match-up of Boston and New York.
Sunday, Feb. 3
2:00 PM: Rangers at Canadiens
- There are apparently no other options for this SuperBowl Sunday showcase; will the presence of New York offset the fact that Canadian television markets do not factor into U.S. television ratings?
Sunday, Feb. 10
3:30 PM: Ducks at Red Wings, Flyers at Penguins or Rangers at Capitals
- Any time Sidney Crosby is on the schedule, expect his game to get picked by NBC.
Sunday, Feb. 17
3:30 PM: Red Wings at Stars, Penguins at Sabres, Sharks at Rangers or Avalanche at Blackhawks
- With no Ice Bowl on New Year’s Day, where the game would get swamped by college football, there is a strong possibility that NBC may air the much hyped outdoor game between Pittsburgh and Buffalo on Feb. 17. But while NBC and the NHL will have succeeded in avoiding New Years’ Day bowl games, expect Penguins/Sabres to get lost in the shuffle on the Sunday of the Daytona 500 and NBA All Star Game.
Sunday, March 2
12:30 PM: Red Wings at Sabres, Flyers at Rangers or Thrashers at Penguins
- How will NBC choose a game from this line-up? Detroit/Buffalo was NBC’s dream match-up for the Stanley Cup Finals last year; Philadelphia/New York involves two big, relatively hockey-friendly markets; Atlanta/Pittsburgh has the draw that is Sidney Crosby. Look for Wings/Sabres to get picked for two reasons: NBC has to feature the hockey-mad Buffalo market at least once, and the Rangers and Penguins cannot be featured every single week.
Sunday, March 9
12:30 PM: Penguins at Capitals, Bruins at Rangers or Predators at Red Wings
- If NBC goes with Detroit/Buffalo on March 2, look for the network to make up for it with Crosby and the Penguins taking on Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals the following week.
Sunday, March 16
12:00 PM: Flyers at Penguins, Red Wings at Blue Jackets or Bruins at Capitals
- With Sidney Crosby essentially taking over the schedule, NBC may feel compelled to feature Capitals star Ovechkin at least once on his own.
Sunday, March 30
12:30 PM: Rangers at Penguins, Predators at Red Wings or Bruins at Sabres
- Assuming their records allow it, New York/Pittsburgh looks like a lock for March 30.
Sunday, April 6
12:30 PM: Blackhawks at Red Wings, Rangers at Devils or Penguins at Flyers
- No clear cut choice for April 6; however, NBC may want to go with the local rivalry between New York and New Jersey.
