Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals featured fast paced hockey, hard hits and stellar goaltending. It also featured NBC wetting its collective pants over Sidney Crosby and his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins.
I noticed the trend earlier this season. NBC frequently had Sunday afternoon games that only featured the Penguins. Most of the time, they played those pesky New York Rangers and the games were virtually identical every week.
This began to get to me. As a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan, I felt the focus should be the NHL’s top team. I did, however, understand the NHL’s marketing tactics.
The Penguins are easily the most popular team in the league. They have some fairly attractive youngsters on their roster and they play a high octane brand of hockey—something fans love.
This favoritism seemed tangible, until the playoffs hit.
Crosby and his cast went from being favorites to being infallible. On NBC, the Penguins could do nothing wrong. Missed passes, poor goaltending and diving were overlooked. Crosby is Jesus incarnate, while Evgeni Malkin is the prophet who speaks in tongues.
NBC has made the Penguins the top team. No team is any match for the Pens when they play on this network.
Game 5 intensified my point. Marc-Andre Fleury mishandled the puck in front of his own net and almost allowed a goal, but any mention of this almost-fatal flaw was positive analysis on his puckhandling. Apparently, Fleury’s stick skills have only improved.
On a power play, Crosby broke his stick, skated back to the bench, received another stick and went back into the play.
Pretty standard, right?
NBC replayed this series in fast motion and dubbed Crosby a hero. He touched the puck twice after receiving his new twig and merely cycled it low after gaining possession.
A similar situation saw Kirk Maltby jet out of the penalty box and stop a Sergei Gonchar slapshot from behind. This was an integral play, but did not manage a single replay.
Both plays were very minute, regular plays.
The Penguins even dominate the commercial bumpers. Crosby’s hit on Brad Stuart is played as the series’ biggest hit, and his first goal in Game 3 may as well be the Cup winner.
I understand the NHL could really benefit from the Penguins winning, but this is ridiculous.
It’s primitive: Penguins good, Red Wings bad.
How many times was Marian Hossa’s first-period tally replayed? Approximately twice as many times as Jir Hudler’s game-winner.
Bias in the media doesn’t just exist in politics, it’s prevalent in our game too. I’ve had it with NBC—the Nothing But Crosby network. I can no longer find objective hockey. The Penguins may as well sign Mike Milbury and his NBC counterparts’ paychecks.
What will NBC focus on when the Red Wings lift the Stanley Cup? Surely a teary eyed Crosby will be interviewed as the Wings’ celebration is cut short.
If NBC keeps this bias up, will we even know if the Red Wings won?
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4 months ago
gotta say, the title of the article is well found!
4 months ago
i like to watch hockey night in canada on CBC and there is a large bias against the red wings as well. too bad the best team in the league for over the last decade is also the most hated. the NHL could benefit GREATLY from marketing the Detroit Red Wings, too bad i guess.
from 4 months ago
> i like to watch hockey night in canada on CBC and there is a large bias against the red wings as well.
I haven't seen that too badly on HNIC for the finals. Going in, I was a bit scared they would, but I thought they've been very unbiased in this series. And, unlike the garbage that passes for commentary on NBC and Versus, I am quite sure the HNIC crew are watching the same game I am. I may not always AGREE with HNIC's viewpoint on a play or call, but at least what they are saying is timely and makes sense.
Some of the things I hear on NBC make me want to throw a brick through my TV to stop the madness.
4 months ago
it's not so much the epic disregard for the Wings. the Penguins get far too much media attention and it irks me greatly. Frankly, I do not want to see another Crosby interview with that terrible 'stache.
4 months ago
Wow- this is ridiculous. The fact of the matter is that for the past few years now, hockey has been nearly non-existant as far as media coverage is concerned. Anyone with half a knats brain would know that in order to help popularize (or re-popularize) a sport, someone has to be at the forefront. Who better than a highly-skilled, good-looking kid from Canada who can get around veterans like Lindstrom? I'll say this much- people need to stop bitching about how much attention NBC gives Crosby- the NHL is trying to get new hockey fans watching and they arn't going to get new fans if they promote everyone....you stick with one or two players and hope to god they don't screw up too badly. It makes perfect sense and you people should stop whining about your team not getting enough media attention and should instead be satisfied that your team is doing well, regardless of who they have to share the spotlight with.
from 4 months ago
I understand marketing Crosby, but complete bias against his opponents is rediculous. It's not just the Crosby factor either. Any true hockey fan will tell you NBC and Versus is garbage, the Crosby bootlicking is just salt in the wound.
Crosby get around Lidstrom? I think not.
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