Cap/Pens back to back games

[creedie 2]

I was just looking over the schedule and noticed that the Caps and Pens are playing tonight and Saturday night - I know this happens often enough in the regular season but I thought the teams got at least a day break in the playoffs. Here is the link to the schedule http://www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyweek.htm?navid=NAV|SCH|Main

[Guest Shoreline]

Yahoo also has it as back to back. Interesting. I guess it is after all. Very weird.

Edit: Now that I think about it, I recall back to back games in years past in the playoffs.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Shoreline

[norrisnick 1]

Arenas have other obligations than just hockey. The Sharks/Ducks had an extra gap in between a couple of their games because of Brittney Spears.

The league has to fit all the games in as best they can.

[Guest NumbaSixty-Six]

f*** NBC

[Guest micah]

I like back-to-back games, good. Hell, I'd be all for a double-header if the teams would go for it - that's be a neat way to highlight the guys with the best conditioning.

[toby91_ca 620]

Neither team is happy about this at all, but it is what it is. I think it has more to do with TV then arena availability though.

I think the Caps and Flyers had back to back last year as well, games 6 and 7.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Actually this year, the Stanley Cup Finals will also have back to back games. Games 1 and 2 will likely be on a Friday and Saturday because NBC wants to avoid Sunday games (horse races or other crap that might be on). Gotta love sacrificing quality of play for the networks..

[Guest Shoreline]

f*** NBC

None of them are in NBC's hockey time slot, just like the Wings game on Sunday. *shrugs*

[C-TownWing 0]

Neither team is happy about this at all, but it is what it is. I think it has more to do with TV then arena availability though.

I'm sure it does too. If I'm translating NumbaSixty-Six correctly, he agrees.

It sucks, but both teams have to do it--we just had a 3OT game, Detroit-to-Anaheim-travel, another game sequence happen, basically 9 periods in three days plus cross-country travel.

[redwings8831 40]

The Wings and Flames had back to back two years ago (Game 5 and 6). Game 5 was in Detroit, Saturday afternoon and then Game 6 was in Calgary, Sunday night.

[Doggy 130]

I heard Bettman address this yesterday on NHL Hour, he said it's because Yani or something is booked at the Igloo for like three straight nights.

[Captain_Yzerman19 1]

f*** NBC

This has nothing to do with NBC. They are showing The Players Championship this weekend, and so no hockey.

[Valas19 50]

Too bad the NBA doesn't do this rather than have sometimes 3 or 4 days off between games to maximize the viewing potential. I mean, did the Pistons-Cavs REALLY need 2 days off to travel from Cleveland to Detroit? Did they worry about bus lag or something?

[thedisappearer 291]

Meh. It more than compensates for their lack of leaving a time zone.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I heard Bettman address this yesterday on NHL Hour, he said it's because Yani or something is booked at the Igloo for like three straight nights.

You are correct; from: Capitals winning but whining.

(For the record, CBC sports executive director Scott Moore, said Hockey Night in Canada didn't want the games on consecutive nights either, but there were problems with building availability.

"There was a Yanni concert in Pittsburgh's building," Moore said.)

[shoe 165]

its not right, hope the 1st of these games dosnt go into a long OT that will be a real tough on the players.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Actually this year, the Stanley Cup Finals will also have back to back games. Games 1 and 2 will likely be on a Friday and Saturday because NBC wants to avoid Sunday games (horse races or other crap that might be on). Gotta love sacrificing quality of play for the networks..

I don't get too up in arms about this, but nevertheless this is something that you'd think would be avoided in the Finals. Ah well that's just me though.

This isn't the norm obviously but back-to-back games in the playoffs isn't a brand new invention. Specifically for the Wings I can recall two recent instances of playoff games on back-to-back nights - the 2001 series against the LA Kings and 2007 series against Calgary. The LA series obviously went downill, and the Wings fared just fine in the back-to-backer against Calgary.