Your Open Thread for Bruins-Devils

Boston vs. New Jersey, 7PM
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Andy Brickley
Reporter: Charissa Thompson

BREAKING: VERSUS Back on DirecTV

According to NHL.com:

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and PHILADELPHIA – DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

VERSUS will return to the same DIRECTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009.

“We are pleased that both sides were able to work out a satisfactory deal to bring this programming back to our customers,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV.

“We’re excited that we were able to come to a fair agreement that puts VERSUS back in millions of homes with DIRECTV in time for our busy spring programming schedule,” said Jamie Davis, president of VERSUS. “We look forward to super-serving these fans with NHL regular-season and playoff coverage, our first live UFC event and much more.”

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BREAKING: NBC Slips to 1.0 for Chicago/Washington

The Chicago Blackhawks/Washington Capitals “Game of the Week” telecast on NBC drew a 1.0 overnight rating on Sunday, NBC Sports told Puck the Media this afternoon.  This is even with last year’s Rangers/Flyers telecast on a comparable date.  This will likely be the first NBC telecast to dip below the 1.0 mark in the final ratings since January 17th’s Red Wings/Blackhawks game.  Still, to show that Chicago and Washington are now on a par with New York and Philly in terms of hockey buzz is some pretty good news for the league.  The NHL On NBC returns this Sunday with the Rangers taking on the Bruins in Boston.

NHL on NBC Overnights for 2009-10 Season

Jan. 1, Philadelphia vs. Boston*: 2.6
Jan. 17, Chicago vs. Detroit: 0.8
Jan. 24, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: 1.3
Jan. 31, Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: 1.2
Feb. 7, Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.3
Mar. 7, Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.2 
Mar. 14, Washington vs. Chicago: 1.0

* – Winter Classic, Fenway Park

John Buccigross and John Calipari Make Nice, Because You All Wanted Closure On This Story

Deadspin has John Calipari sort of apologizing for calling Bucci a “jagoff” last time.  I’m out of material for today, since the NBC ratings were delayed, so enjoy.

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Ryan Miller Plays the Mamba, Listen to the Radio

For anyone over 40 in the joint, that’d be Karen O, the lead singer of New York-based post-punk rockers Yeah Yeah Yeahs.  I’d recommend checking out their albums regardless of anyone else’s opinion on them.  However, during the weekend, it was revealed that they’re clearly a favorite of an American hero.  Ryan Miller appeared on Sirius/XM’s Alt Nation and according to JibbleScribbits, played some pretty rad tunes:

Kings of Leon – California Waiting, Molly’s Chamber
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads will Roll, Maps
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch, Lazy Eye
White Stripes – My Doorbell, Hardest Button to Button

Well done, Ryan Miller.  Though we in no way condone the playing of Kings of Leon on any radio station ever, the rest of that stuff is Class A material, and better than most of the music taste I read hockey players as having.  Though nothing beats Sean Avery’s Radiohead obsession.

Grapes Kinda Called This One

Saturday, at a little after 2 Minutes In:

Sunday:

Morning Music Breakdown

Howdy all.  Welcome to a new week.  Got ourselves some Grapes greatness, NBC ratings, and much more.

Anyway, let’s get on with it.  We fail at everything we ever try to attempt.