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Re-evaluating the 2018-19 NHL on NBC Schedule

By Rohan Yaradi

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Winnipeg Jets answers questions during a post-game interview with NBC Sports reporter Pierre McGuire following a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets lead the series 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Winnipeg Jets answers questions during a post-game interview with NBC Sports reporter Pierre McGuire following a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets lead the series 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images /

#12: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers (3/31/19, 12:30 pm)

Preseason Rank (out of 13): 4

‘Flex’ Game: Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Originally, I had this ranked fourth of the thirteen games. Yikes. The absolutely abysmal season the Flyers have had makes this year’s NHL on NBC schedule look quite boring considering how heavily they are featured. Compound that with another struggling, heavily-featured team in the Rangers, and this game epitomizes the issues fans have with NBC.

Every criticism of the network and its apparent focus on the same few teams appears justified when looking at this game, the regular season finale for NBC’s schedule. Neither team is playing well enough so far to justify featuring them in a big-time matinee like this one.

Instead, the Buffalo-Columbus game scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET on that same day looks like it could be a fun one. Both teams have been good to start the year and feature copious young talent. In addition, they could be jockeying for playoff positioning at this point late in the season.

Related Story. Ranking Each Team's All-Time Starting Lineup. light

#11: Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues (2/17/19, 3 pm)

Preseason Rank: 11

‘Flex’ Game: Anaheim Ducks vs. Washington Capitals

Although this game is technically in the same position as when the season started, any excitement level for it has drastically decreased. The Minnesota Wild had a good run earlier on in the year, but between injuries and slumps, they have been on a downward trend of late.

However, while the Wild’s struggles do not help matters, the state of the St. Louis Blues is what really takes away any interest. St. Louis was supposed to be a playoff contender, but they have been even worse than last season, when they missed the postseason.

Anaheim and Washington, and both teams are in the playoff hunt, meaning this could be an important and exciting game.

#10: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild (2/2/19, 8 pm)

Preseason Rank: 13

‘Flex’ Game: Mentioned Later

This was my lowest-ranked game in the preseason, and given how poor both teams have been to start the year, it appears as if that decision was the correct one. The Chicago Blackhawks have been absolutely awful all season, and while, as mentioned, Minnesota is technically only two points out of a playoff spot, I do not anticipate this being a particularly riveting hockey game.

This game is part of a unique Saturday night showcase event, where two different games will be broadcast on NBC in separate parts of the country (more on that later). These are the only two games on the countdown that will not be available in all US markets.

The flex game will be mentioned when this other game at the same time is discussed.

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