Hockey fans would be wise to clear their schedules on Sunday, February 17th. NBC's annual Hockey Day in America returns this year with a packed lineup sure to make any hockey fan giddy. In their third year running a day that celebrates the sport, NBC will have nine hours of coverage that can be found on NBC and NBC Sports Network, including a triple header featuring six U.S. teams.
The tripleheader begins on NBC at 12:30pm ET when Buffalo hosts Pittsburgh. Coverage then shifts over to Chicago at 3:30pm ET where NBC will air what should be a fun meeting between the LA Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. Finally, at 6pm ET NBC Sports Network will televise the New York Rangers – Washington Capitals game.
If three NHL games aren't enough to pique your interest, NBC will be running NHL Live from the Trump Rink in New York before and during the day's tripleheader. All of the network's coverage will honor the tradition of American hockey, including stories on ice hockey in Harlem, an eight-year old hosting his own Winter Classic, and a special feature dedicated entirely on the long flowing locks of Hockey Hair.
Some may point to Hockey Day in America as further damage control for the lockout, but it's important to remember that NBC has rallied around the "holiday" since 2011, well before Gary Bettman and the NHLPA brought the sport to a screeching halt. It's another reminder of hockey's identity continuing to be tied to NBC on American television. However, this year it'll take on special meaning for NBC with the day long celebration of their sport looking to continue to heal any leftover wounds from the NHL Lockout.
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About David Rogers
Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.