ESF (1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (7) Ottawa Senators (Penguins win 4-1).

[cubistcastle]

Actually, how do broadcast rights work in the playoffs? Is each network given specific series before the playoffs start? Like TSN has ECF and CBC gets WCF? It seems like CBC gets more Canadian teams.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by cubistcastle

Actually, how do broadcast rights work in the playoffs? Is each network given specific series before the playoffs start? Like TSN has ECF and CBC gets WCF? It seems like CBC gets more Canadian teams.

I believe CBC paid for first choice

[Acey]

Hughson is on par with Cuthbert, IMO... but the rest of the CBC cast drags him down. Ferraro has a lot to say but I like his insight at times.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by cubistcastle

Actually, how do broadcast rights work in the playoffs? Is each network given specific series before the playoffs start? Like TSN has ECF and CBC gets WCF? It seems like CBC gets more Canadian teams.

CBC gets first choices. Not sure how it works exactly but CBC gets options that TSN doesn't.

[cubistcastle]

"The two broadcasters share the rights to the NHL playoffs, although CBC gets first choice of which series to show in each round, and owns exclusive rights to the final."

I don't recall whether CBC covers the last half of the other conference final. I hope not.

[sa226]

Isn't it a day thing? Networks have first choice on a certain day/or exclusive rights to a day.

ie: CBC has exclusive rights to Saturday. TSN exclusive rights to Wednesday, NBC Sunday, etc, etc...

Maybe that's just the regular season

[Acey]

During the NHL playoffs, CBC carries four of the Conference Quarterfinals(first, second, fourth, and sixth choice), two of the Conference semi-finals (first and third choice), all games of one conference final and games 4-7 of the other (or all games if involving a Canadian team). TSN gets the remainder.

There ya go, however accurate Wikipedia is.

[Hockey_Ninja]

[cubistcastle]

With no Canadian teams left, I imagine CBC would choose the PIT series anyway.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

A lot of people in hockey want the rule to be changed, or completely removed. So it's well beyond just us "guys" who think that way.

There are a lot of stupid people involved in hockey operations too. Same guys who installed the shoot out to determine a team game so it's not too surprising, unfortunately.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

There are a lot of stupid people involved in hockey operations too. Same guys who installed the shoot out to determine a team game so it's not too surprising, unfortunately.

Yeah, making the league more profitable and fan orientated was a pretty stupid choice Casual fans love shootouts, especially in the States. Gearing the rules towards hardcore hockey fans shouldn't be as big of an issue, as they'll always be there, and games will almost always sellout.

As for kicking the puck I've heard a lot of analysts and commentators call for it as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the rule is altered in the next few years. There is just too much of a grey area to keep it the way it is now.

It must really suck watching hockey with you.

Edit: That Bob McKenzie.. what a stupid idiot. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=318742

For years now, NHL on TSN host James Duthie has opined that any puck off a skate, kicked or not, should be a good goal so long as the skate blade remains on the ice (in order to promote safety and not having players dangerously flashing their blades in a heavy traffic area).

I've always resisted on that safety issue, but now, I cry Uncle.

Make 'em all count, unless the blade comes off the ice and use video review to figure that out. There'll still be some where it's tough to tell and there will still be some controversies but no more and probably less than those questionable "was the puck knocked in with a high stick debates."

But that isn't going to happen in these playoffs, so the Canucks are left to work on what they can control – taking fewer penalties, doing a better job of killing them when they do take them and getting better goaltending from Roberto Luongo.

[Sakari]

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Yeah, making the league more profitable and fan orientated was a pretty stupid choice Casual fans love shootouts, especially in the States. Gearing the rules towards hardcore hockey fans shouldn't be as big of an issue, as they'll always be there, and games will almost always sellout.

As for kicking the puck I've heard a lot of analysts and commentators call for it as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the rule is altered in the next few years. There is just too much of a grey area to keep it the way it is now.

It must really suck watching hockey with you.

The shoot out sucks.

This isn't soccer on ice, what's next, a 5 second allowable time to pick up the puck and throw it.

Hockey is used with a stick and the puck. Allowing the use of feet (forgetting the massive safety issue) fundamentally changes the game. It's stupid.

[trackercowe]

Shoot outs are better than ties. Old school fans might not like them, but they've made many games more entertaining, and are a main feature to the casual fan.

I for one couldn't stand when games ended in ties, so any chance to make those end was a positive one in my view.

Now they should never, ever be used in playoffs, and I don't think that'll happen. Regular season shootouts are fine by me, and I doubt the NHL has any plans to remove them in the near future.

[minnow]

CBC don't renew Healy's contract! He's petty and really, really irritating. Mute him permanently please.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Ties aren't great, and I'm not saying I have a solution but ending in team game in a skills competition is pretty ridiculous. Hate the shoot out, always have. It's silly.

[zamler]

Chris Neil is a dumb, dumb player.

[Acey]

Neil has taken 2 atrocious penalties, I'm surprised he was even on the ice after that first moronic one 200 feet from his net.

[puckluck2]

What a pathetic dive by Conacher.

[zamler]

Atrocious give-away. Fork time the Sens are done.