March 19, 2009
by Stephen M. Lepore
NEW YORK – March 18, 2009 – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins host their intrastate rival the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL “Game of the Week,” Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, presented in high definition. Hockey Hall of Famer Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) call the action. McGuire will pull double duty, hosting NBC’s studio show alongside analyst Mike Milbury on site at Mellon Arena.
The surging Penguins are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games to move into a tie with the Flyers for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference with the Flyers holding three games in hand.
MCGUIRE ON THE RIVALRY: “It’s no secret the animosity between these two teams. They really dislike each other. This game has the potential to get real physical and nasty.”
MCGUIRE ON THE STREAKING PENGUINS: “The coaching change has brought some freshness to the dressing room which had become stagnant and maybe even polluted. The tone is now more instructional than through intimidation.
MCGUIRE ON PENGUINS TRADE DEADLINE MOVES: “The GM really made some bold moves in acquiring [Bill] Guerin and [Chris] Kunitz at the deadline. It really energized Sidney Crosby.”
MCGUIRE ON THE FLYERS: “This team can go far but a lot will depend on where Marty Biron’s head is at come playoff time. Also we know how good their special teams play is but they’re going to have to be able to score five-on-five as well.
MINNESOTA AT DETROIT & DETROIT AT CHICAGO FLEXED INTO “GAME OF THE WEEK”: The final two “Game of the Week” contests have been announced. Sunday, April 5 at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, the Minnesota Wild will face off against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings in Detroit. On the final day of the season, Sunday, April 12, the “Game of the Week” travels to the Windy City as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Red Wings – a 2 p.m. faceoff.
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT NBC’S COVERAGE:
ON EMRICK:
NY Daily News: “The top spot among hockey broadcasters.”
NY Post: “His dead-on descriptions, devoted application of history and superb sense of all moments are superior in the chronicles of any form of live broadcasting.”
ON MILBURY:
Boston Globe: “Never shy with an opinion…a quote machine.”
Philadelphia Inquirer: “Pierre McGuire’s verbal sparring with Milbury has been nothing short of classic theater.”
NY Daily News: “Mike Milbury has brought reality — and a sharp edge — to the Peacock’s NHL studio. He also has displayed something many analysts — in all sports — lack: guts.”
ON MCGUIRE:
Toronto Sun: “Excels as an ice-level analyst.”
Newsday: “A bundle of energy and a born schmoozer.”
ON THE INSIDE-THE-GLASS POSITION CREATED BY NBC PRODUCER SAM FLOOD:
Newsday: “Innovative…now widely copied.”
Toronto Sun: “One of the best recent innovations in hockey telecasts.”
ON NBC’s COVERAGE:
ESPN.com: “The NHL has never looked or sounded better in its free, on-the-air history.”
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