NBCSN was carrying Game 2 of the Montréal series. The Habs were up 3-0 in Game 2, which means the Toxic Trio (John Forslund, Mike Milbury, Brian Boucher) — my new term for them — were not happy.
Forslund tried once to suddenly send the TV audience for the Habs game to the end of the Arizona-Colorado game, airing on the NHL Network. About 30 seconds of game time later, the audience was switched to a game that was airing on the NHL Network. So 2 channels had a game and 0 channels had the Habs game.
Forslund did say initially that the game would be on the NHL Network, which ultimately wasn't true. The game was available on the NBC Sports streaming service, which takes awhile to get going to work properly.
The coverage went to the other game from 9:07 to 2:43 in the 2nd period.
We joked a little bit that NBCSN dumped out of the Canadiens game because they were winning handily. We don't think that was the reasoning but no logical reason exists.
This sadly reminded us of the Baseball Network after the 1994 MLB strike when you couldn't get the American League or National League championship series depending on where you lived. You could get one series or the other on television but not both. No streaming in 1995; if you pull off a pathetic move that reminds us of the Baseball Network, you have committed a grievous offence.
The audience got the game back late in the 2nd period. No explanation was given.
NBCSN also interrupted the New York Islanders-Washington game for the end of the Canucks game in regulation, again with the same game on 2 channels and a game without a TV outlet.
The Arizona-Colorado game was completely on the NHL Network yet with the NBCSN feed for the whole game. Sometimes you get NBCSN coverage on the NHL Network. Game 1 of the Calgary series with Dallas completely aired on the NHL Network with the NBCSN feed but that was because of the 5 OT game with Columbus and Tampa Bay.
The NHL Network has been the sanctuary for Canadian feeds. We were a bit surprised in the qualifying round when NBCSN promised a Rogers Sportsnet feed for the potential clinching game for Vancouver and switched to the local Minnesota feed.
Game 2 of the Vancouver series against St. Louis was on the NHL Network but somehow became the NBCSN feed from the start. Before yesterday, the NHL Network had never carried a NBCSN feed all the way through on purpose.
The slight consolation is that the NHL Network supplies the intermissions, which means viewers actually get analysis of the game they are watching.
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The standard policy is you don't bail out of a game. A different game starts on another channel, staying with a game through to the end.
For those able to get a local feed in your market, you are guaranteed to get the whole game on TV, something the NHL on NBC Sports will no longer guarantee.
NHL on NBC Sports took logical choices smothered in illogical decisions on August 11. These weren't accidents; deliberate actions were taken. Were these decisions flukes or the start of something dastardly? Will we get an explanation of any kind? Don't hold your breath.
We want occasional Canadian feeds. If we are losing them in the playoffs, we want to know.
As much as we have criticised Rogers decisions on numerous levels, mostly on personnel, their delivery of the game hasn't been an issue. This year, you know if the other game is running late that Rogers Sportsnet West (Flames) and Rogers Sportsnet Pacific (Canucks) will start the game on time.
We have cut back our NHL coverage during the regular season. We are very tired of the crap on this beat. The Calgary Flames lost a goal in Game 2 on a decision that would not have been made against Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington etc.
We're glad to give some coverage to the NHL but we need some basic cooperation. Feedback would be helpful. NHL Network and NHL on NBC Sports aren't helpful on Twitter to questions and concerns.
The NBC deal is set to expire in 2021. As much as we can hope for some help (ESPN? CBS Sports Network?), NBC will get some or all of the new TV deal. Gary Bettman likes the way NBC covers the sports with pro-American, lazy analysis coverage. A lot of us don't. Again, so very tired.
Let us know in the comments whether we need to go big or go home. Going home is so tempting right now.
logo credit: NHL on NBC Sports
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