I had worked up a lather ripping NBC for choosing to broadcast Jeep World of Adventure and poker instead of the Canes-Devils game Sunday, if the Rangers-Capitals series ends tonight, but NBC is saying it's not the network's decision.
Network spokesman Brian Walker said the league is contractually obligated to provide games to Versus and TSN and there weren't enough to go around Sunday.
I've asked around and it's a little more complicated than that. Basically, the NHL wants a game on NBC on Sunday and NBC wants a hockey game on Sunday. If the Capitals win, then everything's OK and it'll be Game 6 of the Rangers-Capitals series.
If the Capitals lose, New Jersey-Carolina was the alternate game for that time slot. But even though the game was listed as TBA on the schedule, both teams still have to approve the time change to 2 p.m., which also means pulling it off their local broadcasters, because NBC has an exclusive and Versus does not.
If there had been another series playing Sunday and more games to go around, the whole operation would have been easier, but someone somewhere along the line wouldn't agree to the change, so hold off on the calls to NBC.
I fingered the wrong guilty party on this one, but if you want to call anyway, feel free to complain about the regular-season schedule.
With NBC out of the picture, Game 6 will presumably be a 7:30 p.m. start on Versus and FS Carolinas (the latter is confirmed if that's the starting time).
UPDATE: It's officially 7:30 p.m. on FS Carolinas and Versus, no matter what happens between Washington and the Rangers tonight. And if the Capitals lose tonight, don't forget Jeep World of Adventure on NBC, brought to you by the NHL.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
The NHL needs better
Sat, 04/25/2009 - 19:54 — SlapShotThe NHL needs better coverage and will likely have to get back in bed with ESPN to accomplish that. While a Devils v Canes game on NBC would be nice national coverage for the best series in the east, NBC opting for pre-race coverage of the Preakness (or Belmont?) with a playoff game still in progress has still left an acrid taste in my mouth.
Besides, doesn't NBC stand for Nothing But Crosby???(I wish I had thought of that myself...)
Honestly Part 2
Sat, 04/25/2009 - 09:44 — gf101112I must agree with procellae. Being in So. Cal.,(instead of at the game), my only hope is for an NHL Center Ice "glitch" where I get the game on FSCarolinas! Who wants to watch or listen to NBC broadcasters??? Who wants to watch or listen to Versus broadcasters??? (Unless, of course, John is involved!!) In Tripp and John, you people have the BEST announcers in all of hockey!!! I'm guessing I'll be stuck with Versus. GO CANIACS!!! GO CANES!!! Also... Tuesday night on FSCarolinas!!! (Or will that be Versus too?) I'll be watching!!!
NHL
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 16:10 — The_Pride_of_AfricaThe NHL's coverage is a joke. To be honest, the NHL MUST get back on ESPN to even be considered legitamit. Who the hell cares anyway, even if the Canes win Sunday the next game is in New Jersey.
regardless of who broadcasts it
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 15:09 — NCBuff_Caniacwill it be in HD? FSC needs to get their act together and broadcast at least half of the Canes games in HD during the regular season and ALL of them in HD when they are in the playoffs. They should also broadcast at least 75 of the regular season games, IMHO.
Canes TV Coverage
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 15:05 — kratzkeForget NBC. To whom can we complain about having mostly Standard Definition broadcasts on Fox Sports Carolinas (and a dark, contrasty picture at that), when many other team's fans can watch their local broadcasts in HD (Comcast, MSG, etc.)
I'd probably even settle for the opponent's feed, if I could get it in HD!
Get with the times, FSC!!
Honesty...
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:54 — procellaeI really don't care. While I will be at the game anyway, I would want to watch John and Tripp more than those NBC announcers.
I can see the NBC game now: "The score at the end of the 1st period is 0-0. Let's talk about how great the Penguins are. Crosby is clearly the greatest player in the world. 2nd period will start right after these commercials about the upcoming Penguins/Detroit (chose one) games. We will air all of them. " Then, "This is the second intermission. Is Detroit the best team in the league? Of course! Let's not talk about any of the other 29 teams!"
Lack of Network Commitment
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:27 — mjjunkThis all stems from a lack of network commitment for during the regular season. No one wants to have a devoted time slot to show hockey games during the season except the "secondary" broadcasters such as Versus. When whatever network decided that hockey wasn't worth the regular time slot years ago, the NHL said, fine, we'll just let whoever gives us the regular season time the priority in all games. It's NBC's own fault. I think it's just fair to Versus and who ever is willing to commit to the league. Who needs those tri-letter broadcasters anyway!
OK, with the full explanation...
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:15 — JoshC...this goes square on the league.
NBC's coverage is awful. But if you're going to have a major-network broadcast partner, even one as bad as NBC, they have to have the near-absolute right to pull whatever game is available into their timeslot (especially if you only get one a week), even if that disrupts secondary broadcasters like Versus and FSC. Otherwise, what's the point?
College sports can get this straight. The NBA can get this straight. Baseball can get this straight. Why can't the NHL?
Still did not say who makes the call
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:11 — CanenutWhy would the teams have to approve the change? Why does Verses have more weight than NBC. The more I learn about how the NHL is ran more I just shake my head in disbelief.
That's what I want to know
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:14 — SunIt's SO frustrating.
telecast of game
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 14:06 — louis12580What is so important to Versus that the game can't be at a decent hour, like, say 2p.m. instead of 7:30? This is just plain stupid. I am not a big fan of ANY games on a Sunday and have been that way for a long time. But a game at 7:30, which starts at 7:45 really is just mind boggling. Boo to the network executives, boo to the league for allowing this to happen.
The league needs to decide
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 13:45 — JoshCThe league needs to decide whether it's worth having a national TV partner that actively delegitimizes the league by refusing to show 75% of its US-based teams.
NBC 17
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 13:38 — CanenutLets all email our local station expressing our outrage. Not everyone can go to the game in person and would rather have a 2pm start.
I have friends in OK that do not get Versus and I would love for them to see the Canes.
Booooooooooooooo to NBC (Nothing but Crosby)
Contacting NBC
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 13:28 — SunThanks for this update, Luke. Can you tell us know how to contact NBC to express our opinions on this?