March 13, 2009
by Stephen M. Lepore

Devils Goaltender Martin Brodeur
We have a DVD of the NHL’s greatest moments, and within is a video from when Patrick Roy broke the NHL’s wins record for a goaltender. We can distinctly hear Gary Thorne and Bill Clement from ESPN calling the game. It was against Washington, so we can’t imagine ESPN scheduling it from the start of the season, as ESPN was in it’s full “Hate Hockey” mode by then.
So half a decade later, we have Marty Brodeur set to break the wins record that Roy set. It’ll probably happen either Tuesday vs. Chicago or Wednesday at Carolina. Honestly, knowing the NHL’s TV partners… we’re not hopeful that the game will get on national TV. But let’s set the odds for you.
4:1 NHL Network
If only because it’s easiest for them, because it’s not really getting in the way of much programming to just schedule a simulcast of MSG Plus or whatever other feed they want to use. NHL Network has only “Hodge Stove League” and new episodes of it’s other series on that night, so it’s certainly possible.
8:1 CBC
Marty’s a big star up in Canada, and CBC might take the opportunity to salute one of the nation’s great hockey heroes. This might be similar to when CBC aired Steve Yzerman night, and it featured Anaheim and the Wings. Also, can anyone name another program on CBC? Exactly.
20:1 TSN
The problem with this is that TSN has a Maple Leafs game scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 PM. TSN’s odds could increase if Marty has to wait until Wednesday, as they have a game scheduled for 9:00, nothing before it and it’s possible Marty’s battle vs. Carolina could catch on.
100:1 VERSUS
Tuesday probably features the only game VERSUS wouldn’t pull last minute for Devils-Chicago: Philly-Detroit. Pretty much a guaranteed Top 5-rated game for VERSUS this year. VERSUS shuffling it’s schedule to get a hockey game on a Wednesday? Even with both Mike Emrick and John Forslund – VERSUS paly-by-play men – in the building, we’d say there’s a better chance the game gets aired in Spanish than VERSUS airs it. By the way, your VERSUS lineup for Wednesday:
7:00 Holy @#%*!
7:30 Sports Soup
8:00 Iditarod Coverage
9:00 Movie: Wildcats
11:00 Iditarod Coverage
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