Stanley Cup Playoffs

2019 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS DELIVER BEST OPENING NIGHT OVERNIGHT RATING IN THREE YEARS ACROSS NBC SPORTS PLATFORMS

April 11, 2019 By admin

Penguins-Islanders Ties for Best Opening Night Game in Five Years

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 11, 2019 – NBC Sports’ four-game coverage of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs last night delivered the best overnight rating for an Opening Night in three years, according to Nielsen. The four games presented across NBCSN, USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app combined for a 0.39 overnight rating, the best for an Opening Night since 2016 (0.47) and up 3% vs. 2018 (0.38 for three games).

Game 1 of the Penguins-Islanders series on NBCSN, won 4-3 by New York in overtime, produced a 0.52 overnight rating, tying Rangers-Penguins in 2016 for the best Opening Night overnight rating in five years (2014, Blue Jackets-Penguins, 0.56) and up 13% vs. the comparable game in 2018 (Flyers-Penguins, 0.46).

The Blue Jackets come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Lightning on USA Network delivered a 0.43 overnight rating, up 95% vs. Wild-Jets on CNBC in 2018 (0.22). Stars-Predators produced a 0.31 overnight rating on USA Network for Dallas’ 3-2 win, up 11% vs. Sharks-Ducks in 2018 (0.28). The Sharks’ three-goal win (5-2) over the Golden Knights on NBCSN produced a 0.28 overnight. Blues-Jets aired on NHL Network, which is not rated.

All First Round games televised on NBC Sports’ cable platforms are also televised side-by-side with regional sports networks in the local markets. NBC Sports begins exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Second Round.

Last night’s Opening Night ratings increases follow a regular season that delivered viewership increases across all NBC Sports platforms. Combined viewership of the 2018-19 NHL regular season across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – which included a record 112 games as well as a record number of doubleheaders and games featuring Canadian and Western Conference teams –averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 424,000 viewers, up 2% vs. the 2017-18 regular-season (105 games, 417,000).

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING IN 2015 STANLEY CUP FINAL

May 30, 2015 By admin

Western Conference Final Game 7 Notes and Quotes

Blackhawks Advance to Third Stanley Cup Final in Six Years with 5-3 Win Over Anaheim Ducks in Game 7

Stanley Cup Final Game 1 – Blackhawks at Lightning – Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 30, 2015 – The Chicago Blackhawks advanced to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final with a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 tonight on NBC. Marian Hossa scored the eventual game-winning goal for Chicago, while goaltender Corey Crawford made 35 saves.

Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator and Sports Illustrated 2014 Media Person of the Year Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire called tonight’s Game 7 matchup. NBC and NBCSN’s NHL Live studio team featured host Liam McHugh, and analysts Mike Milbury, Keith Jones and Brian Boucher.

Following are quotes from tonight’s Game 7 coverage between the Blackhawks and Ducks:

PRE-GAME

Keith Jones on the series and the matchup: “I can’t wait for it to start. I don’t want it to end. I’m hoping for overtime tonight.”

Mike Milbury on Ryan Kesler in Game 7: “This is the moment that he was brought in for. This is the moment he is meant to make a difference for the Anaheim Ducks. This is the guy who is going to help them win a Stanley Cup.”

Doc Emrick on Game 7: “The best of seven has reached seven. It’s the Blackhawks against the Ducks. What a series it has been.”

FIRST PERIOD

Emrick on first period: “Many who paid the price of admission would not have guessed a start like this. Yet, this is certainly not the finish.”

FIRST INTERMISSION

Jones on Joel Quenneville’s line-change 3 seconds into the first Period: “He has done an amazing job to start this game. Quenneville quickly gets the matchup he wants. The Chicago Blackhawks do a great job defensively, then Toews goes down the other end and scores a huge goal against the Getzlaf line.”

SECOND PERIOD

Pierre McGuire on the Blackhawks: “Their bench is well orchestrated right now. They are like an unbelievable symphony working perfectly in concert with each other.”

Eddie Olczyk on goal by Ryan Kesler: “The Ducks have a little bit of life. Very late. VERY late in the second period.”

SECOND INTERMISSION

Jones on Ryan Getzlaf: “Horrible. He’s going to be livid. He’s going to be livid with himself. Ryan Getzlaf has been at his absolute worst in this game. He’s an outstanding player who is having an awful night.”

Milbury on Corey Crawford: “He has been terrific. He’s been solid except for one miscue. This game needed some big saves early, and Corey Crawford was able to deliver. He looks like a Hungry Hippo down there.”

THIRD PERIOD

McGuire on goal by Brent Seabrook: “Every time there’s a big goal scored by Chicago, seemingly 7 in white is in the picture.”

Emrick on the Blackhawks: “It is the killer instinct that teams talk about. The Blackhawks have it. Much of it has come from the experience of being this deep, this many times.”

Emrick on the Stanley Cup Final: “The Blackhawks will face the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final of 2015.”

Emrick on the Ducks: “For the Ducks there is nothing to do now but rest, recover and come back in the fall.”

POST GAME

Jones on Jonathan Toews: “It’s remarkable to watch him play. He’s not the biggest guy in the league, he’s not the most skilled guy in the league, but he’s the best guy in the league when it comes to clutch moments.”

Milbury on Jonathan Toews: “The consistent level of excellence is unmatched in any player I’ve ever seen. Every time the Blackhawks need something to happen, Toews seems to be in the middle of it.”

Milbury on Duncan Keith: “Duncan Keith to me has been as good as he’s ever been. Showing his quickness, showing his experience, showing his all-around skill.”

The Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2004, while the Blackhawks advance to their third Stanley Cup Final in six years.

Following is NBC Sports Group’s television schedule for the 2015 Stanley Cup Final:

Date	Game	Teams	Network	Time (ET)
Wed., June 3	Stanley Cup Final – Game 1	Chicago at Tampa Bay	NBC	8 p.m.
Sat., June 6	Stanley Cup Final – Game 2^	Chicago at Tampa Bay	NBC	7:15 p.m.
Mon., June 8	Stanley Cup Final – Game 3	Tampa Bay at Chicago	NBCSN	8 p.m.
Wed., June 10	Stanley Cup Final – Game 4	Tampa Bay at Chicago	NBCSN	8 p.m.
Sat., June 13	Stanley Cup Final – Game 5*	Chicago at Tampa Bay	NBC	8 p.m.
Mon., June 15	Stanley Cup Final – Game 6*	Tampa Bay at Chicago	NBC	8 p.m.
Wed., June 17	Stanley Cup Final – Game 7*	Chicago at Tampa Bay	NBC	8 p.m.

*if necessary ^following coverage of The Belmont Stakes

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

OneRepublic’s RYAN TEDDER PERFORMS HIT SINGLE “I LIVED” TO DROP PUCK ON NBC SPORTS GROUP’S COVERAGE OF 2015 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

April 15, 2015 By admin

Grammy Award-Winning Artist and Lead Singer Stars in Show Open Debuting Tonight on NBCSN

I Lived to Serve as Anthem of NBC Sports Group and NHL Broadcast Partner Coverage of Stanley Cup Playoffs

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 15, 2015 – NBC Sports Group begins its coverage of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with Grammy Award-winner and lead singer of OneRepublic, Ryan Tedder, in an exclusive video of the band’s hit single I Lived. The performance, produced by NBC Sports, will serve as the show open and will celebrate opening night of the playoffs.

Following the debut this evening, I Lived will serve as a continuing anthem of NBC Sports Group’s presentation of the 2015 playoffs and will be included in various aspects of coverage across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, and USA Network, as well as on NHL Network and NHL television partner platforms in Canada.

“I’m excited to be a part of NBC Sports’ coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” said Tedder. “I have always been a big hockey fan, and I can’t wait to watch this year’s games.”

OneRepublic released their debut set Dreaming Out Loud in 2007. The album included the smash single Apologize, which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and received a Grammy nomination. The band’s sophomore album, 2009’s Waking Up, produced three singles: All the Right Moves, Secrets and Good Life.

I Lived is featured on OneRepublic’s third studio album Native, which was released in March 2015 where it debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. In addition to I Lived the set produced the hit singles If I Lose Myself, Feel Again, Love Runs Out, and Counting Stars, which reached #1 at Top 40 radio and has sold over 10 million downloads. OneRepublic has toured the world headlining dates in the U.S. and Europe and is about to embark on a Canadian tour. Visit www.onerepublic.com for all tour dates.

In addition, NHL Live, NBC Sports Group’s pre- and postgame show for NHL coverage, will present a one minute behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Stanley Cup Playoffs I Lived show open. The segment will air this evening during coverage of select games.

Click here for a preview of the video: http://www.nbcsports.com/hockey/nhl/onerepublic-sings-stanley-cup-playoffs-anthem

Click here for photos from the shoot: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/photos-videos/

NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins tonight with four Game 1 matchups across NBCSN, USA Network and NHL Network, starting with NHL Live at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra.

For more info click here: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/15/nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass-day-1/

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

NBC Sports Digital Unveils New Graphics For 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Live Streaming

April 15, 2015 By admin

STAMFORD, Conn. – April, 15 2015 – As part of NBC Sports Group’s continuing efforts to enhance the TV Everywhere experience and remain an industry leader in live streaming, NBC Sports Digital has developed new broadcast-quality enhanced data graphics that provide an improved streaming experience for NHL fans when they watch games on NBC Sports Live Extra.

The new functionality and visualizations include real-time player and game statistics, roster listings, and live rink maps which highlight shot locations, blocked shots, goals, face offs, hits, giveaways and takeaways. In addition, every goal, every penalty and every key moment is quickly available to viewers via the redesigned Key Events bar.

“We are consistently working on improving the streaming experience for our viewers,” said Jack Jackson, VP, Product Development, NBC Sports Group. “With these new tools, fans streaming NHL games on Live Extra have more real-time information at their fingertips than ever before.”

For more info click here: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/15/nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass-day-1/

— NBC SPORTS GROUP–

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE CELEBRATE 2015 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS WITH “LORD STANLEY’S CUP DIDDLY-UMPTIOUS BRACKET BAR”

April 13, 2015 By admin

NBC and NHL to Distribute 32,768 Stanley Cup Chocolate Bars Wrapped With Different Bracket Combinations

One Lucky Fan with Perfect Bracket Will Win Opportunity to Spend Time with the Stanley Cup and a Trip to 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend

Fans Whose “Diddly-Umptious” Chocolate Bars Contain One of Four Silver Tickets Will Win a Trip to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and Quality Time with the Stanley Cup

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 13, 2015 – NBC Sports Group and the National Hockey League have once again joined forces to celebrate the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by providing fans with an edible chocolate bracket and a chance to spend time with The Stanley Cup. As part of this year’s “Every Game. Every Night. Don’t Miss a Moment” marketing campaign, NBC Sports Group and the NHL have created 32,768 “Lord Stanley’s Cup Diddly-Umptious Bracket Bar” chocolate bars, one for each possible bracket combination.

Each of the chocolate bars features an imprint of a blank Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, and is packaged in a unique wrapper which includes one of 32,768 different bracket combinations. At the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, one lucky winner will possess the perfect bracket and will win a trip to the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend, and the opportunity to spend time with the Stanley Cup. In addition, four fans who receive chocolate bars featuring a silver ticket will win a trip to Game 3 of this year’s Stanley Cup Final and the opportunity to spend time with the Stanley Cup.

“As in past years, we wanted to create an item which captures the imagination of hockey fans and social influencers, and continues to build awareness about the Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket format and Stanley Cup Final,” said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Sports Group. “It was difficult to top cupcakes and puck cakes, but we think we have done it. Eating your way through the Stanley Cup Playoffs is always a fun bonus.”

A small number of the chocolate bars will be presented in a limited edition custom-designed NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket box, and will be hand delivered to athletes, celebrity hockey fans, social influencers and media in select markets across the country. Each playoff team will also receive their own box of “Lord Stanley’s Cup Diddly-Umptious Bracket Bar” chocolate bars. The vast majority of bars will be given out to hockey fans in each of the 16 cities which have a team playing in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Fans can tune in to local sports radio stations to find out specific locations to pick up a bar, available on a first-come first-served basis. “Lord Stanley’s Cup Diddly-Umptious Bracket Bars” will also be available at the flagship NHL Store in New York City, in NHL Team Stores, and in popular hockey bars in local markets with teams competing in the Playoffs.

Fans can find out more about the campaign, register their tickets and receive prizing at bracketbar.nbcsports.com. Fans are also invited to engage with @NHLonNBCSports on social media using #BracketBar.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ON TV

For the fourth consecutive year, every NHL Stanley Cup Playoff game will be presented nationally across the platforms of NBC Sports Group and select NBCUniversal networks. During April, May and June, NBC Sports Group will televise as many as 105 playoff games and possibly more than 260 hours of programming.

Coverage will be presented on NBC, NBCSN and NHL Network, as well as NBCUniversal’s USA Network and CNBC. In addition, NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will provide complete streaming coverage of every game of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs that is televised by NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, and CNBC.

For more information click here: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/01/nbc-sports-group-fills-out-2015-stanley-cup-playoff-bracket-with-complete-coverage-beginning-april-15/

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–