NHL Making Mistake by Allowing NBC to Dictate Finals Schedule

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

As a long time hockey fan, I have been following the playoffs closely. One thing I have noticed is the odd scheduling of games. Some series play two nights in a row, and some play one game every three nights.

There is absolutely no consistency in the playoff schedule.

The NHL will use arena availability as an excuse for this scheduling. However, I do believe there is another reason. It is because NBC dictates the schedule of when they want to televise games and which games they televise.

NBC is controlling the league, and they do not even pay rights to televise any games. I understand the league is desperate for any network TV exposure, but, the fact that they will inconvenience fans and the players to cater to NBC is inexcusable. 

For example, the league is working on a schedule for the Stanley Cup finals if the two conference finals series end early this week by Wednesday. NBC does not want to televise any finals games between Monday and Friday next week, because they do not want to interfere with Conan O'Brien's first week on the Tonight Show.

NBC told the league that the first games will have to be on the weekend. They will have to have games back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday night. The NHL should not give in to this. If NBC doesn't like it, too bad. Let the games be on cable.

If NBC wants to manipulate the schedule, they should have to pay the league to televise the games.

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