Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

NBC to air 70 NHL regular-season games in 2013

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Jan 14th 2013 11:50 am

14 regular-season windows on NBC, most ever for network

Wednesday night is rivalry night on NBC Sports Network

NBC Sports Group will air 70 NHL regular-season games across NBC and NBC Sports Network this season. The schedule includes 14 exclusive windows (15 games) on NBC, the most regular-season windows ever for the network, as well as 24 exclusive windows and 26 exclusive games on NBC Sports Network.

Coverage begins the weekend of Jan. 19-20 with the NBC Sports Group presenting four games over two days, three on NBC and one on NBC Sports Network. Additional scheduling highlights include the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup championship banner raising, a "Hockey Day in America" tripleheader, and the start of rivalry nights on Wednesday night on NBC Sports Network. According to the NHL, which released the schedule, all games will be intra-conference with an emphasis on divisional play.

Opening Week

NBC drops the puck on its coverage at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, with "NHL Live," featuring the Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings' banner raising. Following the ceremony, NBC offers regional coverage of the Kings hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (puck drop at 3:25 p.m.) and the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (3:35 p.m.).

On Sunday, Jan. 20, at 12:30 p.m., NBC returns with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Flyers. NBC Sports Network begins its season Sunday night by televising the Phoenix Coyotes at the Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. It continues coverage with a game on three consecutive nights from Monday through Wednesday.

Following is the opening week schedule (all times ET):

Date	Away	Home	Time	Network
Sat., Jan. 19	"NHL Live"	Banner Raising	3:00 p.m.	NBC
Sat., Jan. 19	Chicago	Los Angeles	3:25 p.m.	NBC
Sat., Jan. 19	Pittsburgh	Philadelphia	3:35 p.m.	NBC
Sun., Jan. 20	Philadelphia	Buffalo	12:30 p.m.	NBC
Sun., Jan. 20	Chicago	Phoenix	10 p.m.	NBCSN
Mon., Jan. 21	Detroit	Columbus	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Tues., Jan. 22	Philadelphia	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 23	Boston	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN

Wednesday Night is Rivalry Night

NBC Sports Network's exclusive Wednesday night coverage will now feature some of the biggest rivalries in the NHL, including Bruins-Canadiens and Flyers-Penguins. The network will air exclusive coverage Wednesday nights giving NHL fans four straight nights of hockey action, Sunday-Wednesday, during most weeks. Rivalry nights begin Wednesday, Jan. 23, with the Bruins and Rangers facing off in another Boston-New York contest. Following are NBC Sports Network's 2013 rivalry nights:

Date	Away	Home	Time
Jan. 23	Boston	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30	Chicago	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Feb. 6	Boston	Montreal	7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13	St. Louis	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20	St. Louis	Colorado	10 p.m.
Feb. 27	Washington	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
March 6	Colorado	Chicago	8 p.m.
March 13	Philadelphia	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
March 20	Minnesota	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
March 27	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
April 3	Pittsburgh	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
April 10	Boston	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
April 17	Buffalo	Boston	7:30 p.m.
April 24	Los Angeles	Detroit	7:30 p.m.

'Hockey Day in America'

In its third year, "Hockey Day in America" will celebrate America's passion for hockey on Sunday, Feb. 17, featuring more than nine hours of coverage, including three games and six teams from some of the most avid U.S. hockey markets across both NBC and NBC Sports Network. In addition, coverage will include compelling features that tell the story of America's passion for hockey.

Coverage begins at noon on NBC with "NHL Live." The first two broadcasts on NBC are Pittsburgh at Buffalo at 12:30 p.m. and Los Angeles at Chicago at 3:30 p.m. The final game of the celebration is between Washington at the New York Rangers at 6 p.m., and airs on NBC Sports Network. (All times ET and subject to change)

Time	Away	Home	Network
Noon	"NHL Live"		NBC
12:30	Pittsburgh	Buffalo	NBC
3:30	Los Angeles	Chicago	NBC
6:00	Washington	N.Y. Rangers	NBC Sports Network

NHL studio programming throughout the 2013 season will originate from the NBC Sports Group's new, state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. The first studio programming will air on NBC on Saturday, Jan. 19, prior to the two regional games.

"NHL Live" is NBC Sports Network's live pre- and post-show with highlights and analysis of NHL matchups before and after every game. It traditionally airs a half-hour prior to live-event coverage. "NHL Overtime" airs Monday-Wednesday nights after NHL telecasts. It examines all NHL games played that night with news, highlights, and analysis.

Flex scheduling on NBC

For the sixth consecutive season, the NHL and NBC Sports Group will utilize flex scheduling, which provides the ability to select from up to four games on Sunday afternoons. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled games, the NHL and NBC will announce which game will air. Following are the current games scheduled for NBC:

NBC 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date	Away	Home	Time
Saturday, Jan. 19	Chicago	Los Angeles	3:25 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19	Pittsburgh	Philadelphia	3:35 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 20	Philadelphia	Buffalo	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 3	Pittsburgh	Washington	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10	Los Angeles	Detroit	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 17	Pittsburgh	Buffalo	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 17	Los Angeles	Chicago	3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3	Chicago	Detroit	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10	N.Y. Rangers	Washington	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17	Boston	Pittsburgh	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31	Chicago	Detroit	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7	St. Louis	Detroit	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14	Chicago	St. Louis	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21	New Jersey	N.Y. Rangers	3 p.m.
Saturday, April 27	New Jersey	N.Y. Rangers	3 p.m.

NBC Sports Network 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date	Away	Home	Time
Sunday, Jan. 20	Chicago	Phoenix	10 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 21	Detroit	Columbus	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 22	Philadelphia	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 23	Boston	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 27	Minnesota	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 29	N.Y. Islanders	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 30	Chicago	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 4	Dallas	Colorado	9 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5	Tampa Bay	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 6	Boston	Montreal	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10	New Jersey	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 11	Los Angeles	St. Louis	9 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 12	N.Y. Rangers	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 13	St. Louis	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 17	Washington	N.Y. Rangers	6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 19	San Jose	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20	St. Louis	Colorado	10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24	Tampa Bay	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 25	Dallas	Nashville	8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 26	Boston	N.Y. Islanders	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 27	Washington	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 4	Tampa Bay	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5	Philadelphia	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6	Colorado	Chicago	8 p.m.
Sunday, March 10	Buffalo	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12	Philadelphia	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13	Philadelphia	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17	Buffalo	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 18	Philadelphia	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19	Washington	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20	Minnesota	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24	Washington	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 25	Los Angeles	Chicago	8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26	Philadelphia	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31	Washington	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 1	Colorado	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2	Buffalo	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3	Pittsburgh	N.Y. Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7	New Jersey	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9	Chicago	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10	Boston	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11	Pittsburgh	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14	Detroit	Nashville	7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 15	Dallas	Chicago	8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16	NY Rangers	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17	Buffalo	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18	New Jersey	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21	St. Louis	Colorado	7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 22	Montreal	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23	Boston	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24	Los Angeles	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25	Pittsburgh	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27	TBD	TBD	7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27	TBD	TBD	10 p.m.