Your Announcers and Open Thread for Night Eight of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NY Rangers vs. Ottawa, Game 4, 7:30 p.m. ET

Canada National TV: CBC
Play by Play: Bob Cole
Color: Gary Galley
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Cassie Campbell

US National TV: CNBC
Play by Play: John Forslund
Inside the Glass: Brian Hayward

NY Rangers Local: MSG

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 4, 7:30 p.m. ET

US National TV: NBCSN
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Inside the Glass: Pierre McGuire

Canada National TV: TSN
Play by Play: Gord Miller
Inside the Glass: Ray Ferraro

Pittsburgh Local: ROOT Sports Pittsburgh

Philadelphia Local: CSN Philadelphia

Vancouver vs. Los Angeles, Game 4, 10:00 p.m. ET

US National TV: NBCSN (national, no blackout in Los Angeles)

Canada National TV: CBC
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Reporter: Scott Oake

RUMOR: NBC To Double Up on Caps/Bruins This Weekend

This hasn’t been confirmed by NBC or the league yet, but a reliable source has told me that NBC has plans to televise both Bruins/Capitals games this weekend on the network.

The plan would be to televise both games at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday’s Game 6 obviously being played if necessary. Game 6 would be part of a doubleheader with another “if necessary” Game 6, between Detroit and Nashville, which would take place at 3 p.m. ET. It was thought that a potential Game 6 between the Flyers and Penguins would take the Sunday spot, but now it appears likely the series won’t make it there.

Game 2 of the Bruins/Capitals series drew a solid 1.5 overnight rating on the network.

Sunday Produces Big Numbers in Pittsburgh and Philly

It’s hardly a surprise, but it appears this Conference Quarterfinal series between the Flyers and Penguins has the city of Philadelphia engaged with their team at a level not seen in a long time.

Game 3 of the Eastern Quarters, televised on NBC in the United States, drew a massive 12.3 local rating in the city of brotherly love. Just as a means of comparison, Game 1 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final between the Flyers and Blackhawks drew a 13.2. The 2012 Winter Classic, which aired live from Citizens’ Bank Park on January 2nd, drew an 11.9 rating in Philadelphia. The 2010 Winter Classic, in which the Flyers visited Fenway Park, drew just a 6.0 in the city. Clearly this game meant something special to Flyer fans, plus the increased buzz from all the mayhem.

Game 3 drew a fairly large 18.0 rating in Pittsburgh, though we’ve seen numbers like that before for playoff games in the city. Just to prove a point, the 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh drew a 32.4 rating in the city.

(Source: NHL)

Local Ratings Update: Blues Draw Records For Late Game 3, Rangers Up 20%

The St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers both saw great ratings news for local telecasts over the past few days, showing their fans appear engaged in both as both look like good shots to make long playoff runs.

First of all, cheers to everyone in St. Louis. With a 9:30 p.m. local start time for Game 3 against the Sharks, FS Midwest drew an 11.0 rating, a record for that network set 11 years ago for a second round game against Dallas. When about 11% of your city is tuning into hockey well after midnight local time, you know it’s glad to have playoff hockey back.

It was the highest-rated Blues game since Game 3 of the 2002 Western Conference Semi-finals against Detroit, which drew a 12.3 on KPLR. I have a feeling we may see that shattered by the end of this series.

Meanwhile, the New York Rangers are always a bit of a dicey local television draw. Considering a late-season Knicks game will take precedence over Game 4 of their playoff series against the Senators this Wednesday, perhaps it’s for good reason. But Ranger fans are clearly high on their club this year, with the first two games of their battle vs. Ottawa up 19% on MSG Network.

Game 1 of the series drew a 3.41 rating, down 1% from Game 1 against Washington last year. However, Game 2 drew a 3.22, up 53% from last year’s Game 2 in DC. The weird thing is that Game 1 last year aired on alternate network MSG Plus, while Game 2 aired on regular MSG. I’ll never understand Ranger fans, but am glad they’re tuning in.

(Sources: Blues; MSG)