Hello there, I’m kind of doing this as a permanent gig from now on, you know, the whole “media guy thing. Anyway, breaking story, NBC has released it’s NHL Flex Schedule possibilities via the NHL’s website. Here is the schedule, and my picks for the game that I think’ll be chosen, based on NBC’s rule of 4 appearances per team.
January 1
1:00 Detroit vs. Chicago
January 18
3:00 New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh
February 8
12:30
Philadelphia vs. Atlanta OR
Detroit vs. Pittsburgh OR
Nashville vs. Dallas
PREDICTION: Uhhh… what do you think? Red Wings-Pens even if say, Crosby, Hossa, Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Malkin are injured.
February 15
12:30
Philadelphia vs. New York Rangers OR
San Jose vs. New Jersey OR
Colorado vs. Detroit
PREDICTION: It could very well depend on records, but look for Flyers-Rangers to get the call here.
February 22
12:30
Pittsburgh vs. Washington OR
Colorado vs. Carolina
PREDICTION: …the week in which NBC’s flex schedule becomes a joke. Pens-Caps, dumbasses.
March 8
12:30
Boston vs. New York Rangers OR
Colorado vs. Chicago OR
Pittsburgh vs. Washington OR
Phoenix vs. New York Islanders
PREDICTION: This is actually intriguing. You wouldn’t think NBC would go the same match-up two weeks in a row. I think Avs-Hawks might actually get a shot here.
March 15
12:30
Philadelphia vs. New York Rangers OR
Boston vs. Pittsburgh OR
Detroit vs. Columbus
PREDICTION: NBC goes back to the Crosby well with Boston-Pitt for the final time of the season.
March 22
12:30
Los Angeles vs. Chicago OR
Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh OR
New Jersey vs. Boston
PREDICTION: NBC goes with Boston two weeks in a row without the ability to use Crosby. Maybe LA-Chitown if both teams are good.
April 5
12:30
Atlanta vs. Washington OR
Minnesota vs. Detroit OR
Pittsburgh vs. Flordia
PREDICTION: Finally… FINALLY… the Minnesota Wild get a national TV appearance.
April 12
12:30
Detroit vs. Chicago OR
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia OR
Boston vs. New York Islanders OR
St. Louis vs. Colorado
PREDICTION: Sigh, probably Rangers-Philly again. Don’t discount a Red Wings-Hawks game, or even Blues-Avs if both clubs are good and Sakic gets one more hurrah on national TV, but chances are this is how it all ends for the regular season.
Enjoy your NHL On NBC Season.
