Handicapping NBC’s Flex Schedule As We Head a Little Closer to New Year’s
November 29, 2011 3 Comments
I figure why not have a little fun and see if any predictions from the beginning of the season have changed. My picks are in bold. Everyone can make their guesses in the comments.
January 2
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia*
January 14
12:30 Chicago vs. Detroit*
January 22
12:30 Boston vs. Philadelphia OR Washington vs. Pittsburgh
February 12
12:30 Washington vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Detroit
February 19 (Hockey Day in America)
12:30 San Jose vs. Detroit*
12:30 Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo*
12:30 St. Louis vs. Chicago*
3:30 Boston vs. Minnesota
March 4
12:30 Boston vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Washington
March 11
1:00 Los Angeles vs. Chicago OR Boston vs. Pittsburgh
March 18
12:30 Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh OR Washington vs. Chicago
Apr. 1
12:30 Boston vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh
Apr. 7
12:30 Buffalo vs. Boston OR Washington vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh OR Chicago vs. Detroit
* – Non-Flex
About stevelepore
I’ll give it a shot. Only a few changes.
January 2
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia*
January 14
12:30 Chicago vs. Detroit*
January 22
12:30 Boston vs. Philadelphia OR Washington vs. Pittsburgh (I’ll say Caps/Penguins)
Quick note. Can you tell me why they didn’t start the Sunday Night versus games this week (January 22nd)???? They have 2 great games, either one, if exclusive, would have been a great draw on Versus. Bruins/Flyers always draws well on Versus, and a Caps/Pens game would also. I checked the schedule and it has both these games listed as NBC @ 3pm. Maybe they will put one on Versus.
February 12
12:30 Washington vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Detroit (Flyers/Wings)
February 19 (Hockey Day in America)
12:30 San Jose vs. Detroit*
12:30 Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo*
12:30 St. Louis vs. Chicago*
3:30 Boston vs. Minnesota
March 4
12:30 Boston vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Washington (I’ll say Bruins/Rangers)
March 11
1:00 Los Angeles vs. Chicago OR Boston vs. Pittsburgh (I’ll go with Kings/Blackhawks. It would be a statement if they played that game. It actually makes more sense. Bruins/Pens will still draw good numbers on Versus.)
March 18
12:30 Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh OR Washington vs. Chicago (Caps/Blackhawks)
Apr. 1
12:30 Boston vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh (Pens/Flyers)
Apr. 7
12:30 Buffalo vs. Boston OR Washington vs. NY Rangers OR Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh OR Chicago vs. Detroit (Whichever game is more important standings wise. The Chicago/Detroit games are always great, so I’ll chose that one if none of the games actually matter. I’m hoping for Bruins/Sabres though)
Not counting the regional games, or the April 7th game, you would have no repeat games (I think last year the Flyers/Rangers played 3 times…) Flyers play 3 times, Blackhawks 3, Bruins 3, Rangers 2, Pens 2, Red Wings 2, Capitals 2, Sabres/Kings/Wild all play once.
Rangers/Flyers
Red Wings/Blackhawks
Caps/Pens
Flyers/Red Wings
3 Regional games plus Bruins/Wild
Bruins/Rangers
Kings/Blackhawks
Caps/Blackhawks
Pens/Flyers
I’ll say Sabres/Bruins
Only certainty I see is Bruins/Rangers on March 4 if they stay at the top of the standings. How many Boston/NY games has NBC aired? Those two markets, if the teams are good, is a ratings winner in any sport.
You have to figure that the Washington/Pittsburgh game is a lock for 1/22. NBC has generated huge ratings for that game in the past and won’t pass up their only chance to get it this year.
There’s also a good potential storyline with the Washington/Philly game on March 4th. Hunter is now the coach and Jagr plays for the Flyers. Also, don’t forget that NBC owns the local affilate in D.C. so their costs of broadcasting a game from there are lower.