NHL's wacky Cup final schedule hurts the hurting Red Wings

[doniceage]

BY: Michael Farber

A stroll down memory lane . . .

The year is 1955. Canadiens fans riot outside the Forum when NHL President Clarence Campbell suspends Maurice Richard. Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. The Mickey Mouse Club premiers on ABC-TV. The NHL holds back-to-back games during the Detroit-Montreal Stanley Cup Final.

Now further to the subject of Mickey Mouse . . .

After a 54-year hiatus -- a five-plus-decade interregnum in which the NHL presumably thought that playing on consecutive days in the Stanley Cup Final was a crummy idea -- back-to-back games are, well, back. The defending champion Red Wings and the perhaps impending champion Penguins play Game 1 on Saturday and -- pause for air -- Game 2 on Sunday.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...e/?eref=sircrc

[iockerman]

I hope it hurts both teams, too bad one of them has to win....this sucks.

[BruHawk]

I really don't have a problem with them playing back to back games or even 3 games in 4 nights. I do have a problem with the NHL bending over backwards to grant NBC's wishes.

[Pheebs888]

I have a problem with the 8 PM start time...that's 1.00 AM here...what's wrong with 7 PM lol

[doniceage]

I just know there will be some Red Wing conspiracy theories thrown out there. As I seen posts before that mentioned that Bettman wants the Cup in Crosby hands. In the end the best team will make adjustments to do what in order to win.

D
o
n

[13paveldatsyuk13]

I hope it hurts both teams, too bad one of them has to win....this sucks.

ah that explains all your hater posts, i'd be hating too if i had to dress like a minute maid orange to show support for my team.

[GrimUSMC]

ah that explains all your hater posts, i'd be hating too if i had to dress like a minute maid orange to show support for my team.

[sholi2000]

BY: Michael Farber

A stroll down memory lane . . .

The year is 1955. Canadiens fans riot outside the Forum when NHL President Clarence Campbell suspends Maurice Richard. Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. The Mickey Mouse Club premiers on ABC-TV. The NHL holds back-to-back games during the Detroit-Montreal Stanley Cup Final.

Now further to the subject of Mickey Mouse . . .

After a 54-year hiatus -- a five-plus-decade interregnum in which the NHL presumably thought that playing on consecutive days in the Stanley Cup Final was a crummy idea -- back-to-back games are, well, back. The defending champion Red Wings and the perhaps impending champion Penguins play Game 1 on Saturday and -- pause for air -- Game 2 on Sunday.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...e/?eref=sircrc

Bettman must have monkey's working for him. Just a retarded schedule, and all to please NBC.

Canada gets the Saturday night game, so not all bad. Pens in 4!

[CSSports]

I dont see how this benefits any team - They both play the same amount of time...
Yes- NBC probably dictated when the games are played but I can only see it as a benefit to the NHL - Play Sat and Sun - you get the most exposure - Play Monday night and you do not get the Western 1/2 of North America audience as most work until 5 or 6 (local time) and missed part of most of the game....LESS AUDIENCE - and the NHL needs EVERY POSSIBLE PERSON to watch the finals....Hockey may be #1 in Canada but it is slipping to #5/#6 in the US....Sad but true....

They are on even playing fields....JUST PLAY

And lastly - I dont want to see on TV this weekend a bunch of Million dollar babies whinning about "the Schedule" - its not like they havent played back-to-back games before....Just deal with it and play....

[korpkaos]

I dont see how this benefits any team - They both play the same amount of time...
Yes- NBC probably dictated when the games are played but I can only see it as a benefit to the NHL - Play Sat and Sun - you get the most exposure - Play Monday night and you do not get the Western 1/2 of North America audience as most work until 5 or 6 (local time) and missed part of most of the game....LESS AUDIENCE - and the NHL needs EVERY POSSIBLE PERSON to watch the finals....Hockey may be #1 in Canada but it is slipping to #5/#6 in the US....Sad but true....

They are on even playing fields....JUST PLAY

And lastly - I dont want to see on TV this weekend a bunch of Million dollar babies whinning about "the Schedule" - its not like they havent played back-to-back games before....Just deal with it and play....

I agree with this 100%. I had more of a problem with the 2 days off between game 1 and 2 of the Carolina/Pittsburgh as it gave Carolina that extra day of rest for thier 2 injured players from game 1. With back to back games niether team has an advantage IMO.