Question About the Days Off in this Series

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Can anyone think of a good justification for why there’s only one day off between games 2 and 3, as opposed to two days off?

Like it’s not ridiculous enough that these teams have to play back to back games, on top of that they have to play 3 games in 4 nights.

Imagine if these games turn out to be long OT sessions. The teams could potentially play a total of 4 games in 4 days when you combine the time played.

Bottom line is that tired teams don’t generally play good hockey, and here both teams have a high likelihood of being tired and worn out real fast in this series. That’s not the best way to showcase hockey for the nation.

I understand why people don’t think there should have been 9 days off before the Finals, but this tightly packed schedule isn’t that much better. As it usually does, the league dropped the ball on this in my opinion.

[Psychlone 0]

I think the schedule definitely works to the favor of the Penguins, I personally am not a fan of back to back games or games with two days off. In the future, I think the league needs to really try and make it so the teams play every other day as i think this is the ideal time off between games.

[Systemfel 33]

The back-to-back thing is ridiculous. We've seen this the last three years here in Sweden in the playoffs (mind you, we never have b-2-b's during the regular season). Never thought that the NHL could be this stupid.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

The back-to-back thing is ridiculous. We've seen this the last three years here in Sweden in the playoffs (mind you, we never have b-2-b's during the regular season). Never thought that the NHL could be this stupid.

Like I said in my original post, what makes it even more stupid is that there's only one day off before game 3.

We had two 2 day breaks against Chicago. It makes no sense.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

You would think the league would want to have their premire teams playing at their best on the biggest stage. I just don't get it. Actually, maybe the league just doesn't get it.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

Like I said in my original post, what makes it even more stupid is that there's only one day off before game 3.

We had two 2 day breaks against Chicago. It makes no sense.

And game 6 was scheduled for saturday, which would give them an extra day off between games 5 and 6. The finals schedule makes absolutely zero sense.

[Mike 0]

I think the schedule definitely works to the favor of the Penguins, I personally am not a fan of back to back games or games with two days off. In the future, I think the league needs to really try and make it so the teams play every other day as i think this is the ideal time off between games.

I don't think that the schedule works in favor of the Pens. Yes, the Pens get the extra day, but they have to travel to Detroit while the Red Wings get to stay home. Imagine you are a Pens fan (Yikes!), how would you feel about back-to-back away games?

[Mike 0]

And game 6 was scheduled for saturday, which would give them an extra day off between games 5 and 6. The finals schedule makes absolutely zero sense.

It's so that Game #6 falls on a Saturday for NBC. This schedule was made by NBC, not the NHL.

[marcmargolis 0]

Can anyone think of a good justification for why there’s only one day off between games 2 and 3, as opposed to two days off?

Like it’s not ridiculous enough that these teams have to play back to back games, on top of that they have to play 3 games in 4 nights.

Imagine if these games turn out to be long OT sessions. The teams could potentially play a total of 4 games in 4 days when you combine the time played.

Bottom line is that tired teams don’t generally play good hockey, and here both teams have a high likelihood of being tired and worn out real fast in this series. That’s not the best way to showcase hockey for the nation.

I understand why people don’t think there should have been 9 days off before the Finals, but this tightly packed schedule isn’t that much better. As it usually does, the league dropped the ball on this in my opinion.

Just in from the NHL!!

Brad Watson and Dan O'Hallaran have assessed two minor penalties to the Redwings prior to the games on Saturday and Sunday and have whistle the play dead anytime Detroit gains the Pittsburgh zone. Gary Bettman himself has awarded the Penguins a goal advantage each of the games of the finals, had sent out an eye specialist to fit Chris Osgood with 20/1000 glasses and has delivered leg weights to be placed on the legs of Franzen, Lidstrom, Hossa and Fillpula!

Can the NHL get a clue, it is supposed to be a home playoff advantage when you arre the higher seed and pay the price during the season!!!

Bettman go back to fixing games in the NBA, Stern missed you at last nights Lakers victory parade!!!

[wingsdiehard13 33]

It's so that Game #6 falls on a Saturday for NBC. This schedule was made by NBC, not the NHL.

The schedules are made by the NHL. However, I realize they scheduled the game for saturday because they get more money for the game being on NBC.

[ifonlyicouldskate 11]

Like I said in my original post, what makes it even more stupid is that there's only one day off before game 3.

We had two 2 day breaks against Chicago. It makes no sense.

I agree but we have deal with the cards given to us.

Game 5 is on 6/6

Game 7 is on 6/12

just look at the time for the games at the end of the round. This seems more like a NBC thing to me. They have the NHL by the balls and dictate the schedule. We need a new NHL TV deal.

[Psychlone 0]

I don't think that the schedule works in favor of the Pens. Yes, the Pens get the extra day, but they have to travel to Detroit while the Red Wings get to stay home. Imagine you are a Pens fan (Yikes!), how would you feel about back-to-back away games?

I mainly meant the back to back games this weekend. If there are still players banged up for the Wings going into Game 1 that aren't 100% and per chance they reaggravate something, there isn't any rest time for Game 2. That definitely works to the Pens advantage, whether or not they take advantage of it remains to be seen.

[Mike 0]

The schedules are made by the NHL. However, I realize they scheduled the game for saturday because they get more money for the game being on NBC.

NBC was right behind the backs of the NHL while they made that schedule. NBC is more worried about Leno and Conan. If this series ends in 4, a minor cable network will be carrying the game in which the Cup is awarded. That's ******* bad. Versus and NBC need to be dumped. I'd rather ESPN carry every single SCF game rather than Versus and NBC splitting the games.

[Mike 0]

I mainly meant the back to back games this weekend. If there are still players banged up for the Wings going into Game 1 that aren't 100% and per chance they reaggravate something, there isn't any rest time for Game 2. That definitely works to the Pens advantage, whether or not they take advantage of it remains to be seen.

No team is healthy this deep in the playoffs. The same argument can be made for Pens players. Gonchar is a top defenseman for the Pens and he hasn't been healthy since they played the Caps. If he reaggravates his knee in Game #1, he has no recovery time either. It works both ways, but yes, the Wings have more injuries to deal with. It seems like Lidstrom will be back and Datsyuk is still day-to-day, but I think he will be back also.

[betterREDthandead 58]

NBC was right behind the backs of the NHL while they made that schedule. NBC is more worried about Leno and Conan. If this series ends in 4, a minor cable network will be carrying the game in which the Cup is awarded. That's ******* bad. Versus and NBC need to be dumped. I'd rather ESPN carry every single SCF game rather than Versus and NBC splitting the games.

And if the Versus/NBC combo offers the NHL enough money to stay solvent and ESPN does not?

Because that's pretty much exactly what happened.

[Mike 0]

If I could schedule the SCF:

Game #1: Sunday, May 31

Game #2: Tuesday, June 2

Game #3: Friday, June 5

Game #4: Sunday, June 7

*Game #5: Wednesday, June 10

*Game #6: Friday, June 12

*Game #7: Sunday, June 14

[Theophany 110]

And if the Versus/NBC combo offers the NHL enough money to stay solvent and ESPN does not?

Because that's pretty much exactly what happened.

I think that ESPN has seen the huge popularity that the NHL has gotten this season in large markets like Boston, Chicago, etc and will pay the money (like they don't have it lying around) to get it out of the hands of VS and NBC. With the amount of pure crap on ESPN (I'm looking at you, pool, poker, bowling, etc), it would be pretty huge for them.

[mjlegend 155]

As far as I know, the NHL doesn't get any money up front for the NHL, rather they get a percentage of the advertising revenue AFTER NBC deducts production costs.

CBC, meanwhile, pays the NHL over $65 million up front per year for broadcast rights.

[flip 5]

How is the NBA slated to play out? The NHL might be trying to avoid going up against NBA games. I haven't looked into it, but it would make sense.

Then again, it may just be Yanni Voices again. Or Wrestling.

[esteef 2,679]

Mlive article: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...wings_befo.html

Some players are more upset about having to play on back-to-back nights for the first time in the playoffs and having to play three games in four nights (Game 3 is Tuesday in Pittsburgh).

"You don't want my opinion on that,'' Chris Chelios said.

esteef

Edited May 28, 2009 by esteef

[mjlegend 155]

How is the NBA slated to play out? The NHL might be trying to avoid going up against NBA games. I haven't looked into it, but it would make sense.

Then again, it may just be Yanni Voices again. Or Wrestling.

Game 1 is going up directly against the Cavs-Magic Game 6.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

Game 1 is going up directly against the Cavs-Magic Game 6*

*= If necessary

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

If I could schedule the SCF:

Game #1: Sunday, May 31

Game #2: Tuesday, June 2

Game #3: Friday, June 5

Game #4: Sunday, June 7

*Game #5: Wednesday, June 10

*Game #6: Friday, June 12

*Game #7: Sunday, June 14

That's exactly how I would have done it, and it gives the league a better final, instead of showcasing tired teams playing sloppy hockey.

How is the NBA slated to play out? The NHL might be trying to avoid going up against NBA games. I haven't looked into it, but it would make sense.

Then again, it may just be Yanni Voices again. Or Wrestling.

Last year the Lakers and Celtics played in the finals, yet the NHL had its best SCF ratings in years.

Don't know why they'd be scared this year.

Mlive article: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...wings_befo.html

Some players are more upset about having to play on back-to-back nights for the first time in the playoffs and having to play three games in four nights (Game 3 is Tuesday in Pittsburgh).

"You don't want my opinion on that,'' Chris Chelios said.

esteef

Some players will complain about it and some won't, but I doubt any players actually want to play back to back or three games in four days.

[Manoir 70]

Has there ever been back-to- back games in the finals? I don't recall that ever happening. Even if the Penguins had more injuries I would be against this schedule. This is the Finals, no reason to have 3 games in 4 nights.

[CenterIce 83]

As some have stated, it is all based on NBC's programming schedule. There was an ESPN article that mentioned this. NBC is switching hosts on the Tonight Show, and I guess it is Sweeps Week, so they have to "squeeze" the NHL in some where. This is what happens when TV dictates your schedule. Regarding the chance that Versus could carry the Cup presentation, the NHL, in previous years, had Versus for the first two, then NBC. However, they wanted a larger national draw to start the series, so they have NBC for the first two, Versus the next two, and NBC the rest. Also, they want their weekend games for more money.