We all knew that the Hawks weren't going to get screwed (at least as much as the Blues and Wild), nor were the eastern conference teams, so that left us and the wild. We really needed Calgary to finish behind Nashville to have any hope of not getting the short end of the schedule this round.

NBC and TV money run everything. Local fans are barely an afterthought when it comes to playoff dates and times.
- Jason Millen

For the NHL, it's all about market size...

For the NHL, it's all about market size...
- eggsegan

And Nielson(sp?) Ratings

And Nielson(sp?) Ratings
- Jason Millen

Yep.

Of course they don't understand they are the dog that wags the tail and instead are having the tail that wags the dog.

They can market the teams and create the buzz.

But right now Chicago has the stars, a winning team and the market and that makes sense.

Besides Easter doesn't matter to all of us. Some of us are heathens.

Weeknight late game? We all know what that means.......OVERTIME.

Yep.

Of course they don't understand they are the dog that wags the tail and instead are having the tail that wags the dog.

They can market the teams and create the buzz.

But right now Chicago has the stars, a winning team and the market and that makes sense.

Besides Easter doesn't matter to all of us. Some of us are heathens.
- BluemanGuruu

The EPL has shown that people will watch games at the same time. The question is will NBC give up prime time slots. I kind of wonder if a model where games began every 15 minutes on different networks would work...

Weeknight late game? We all know what that means.......OVERTIME.
- Yeah Boyes

I can live with being sleep deprived because of playoff hockey.

Apparently Stastny did not skate today. Barbashev skated with the top line. Unless something drastic happens I would expect Barbashev to center the 1st line tomorrow.

Got the info from nbc sports

Lets Go Blues!!!!

I don't mind late games, especially when it's only an hour later and it's the playoffs!!!!!!

Apparently Stastny did not skate today. Barbashev skated with the top line. Unless something drastic happens I would expect Barbashev to center the 1st line tomorrow.

Got the info from nbc sports

Lets Go Blues!!!!

I don't mind late games, especially when it's only an hour later and it's the playoffs!!!!!!
- BluesDroogie

Jaskin, Yakupov, Sanford and Stastny are likely out tomrorow night.Bortuzzo too.

Jaskin, Yakupov, Sanford and Stastny are likely out tomrorow night.Bortuzzo too.
- Jason Millen

Just ran through the lines. Not bad. Didnt really expect Sanford in over Lehtera.

Surprised with Botrz out. Is he still injured? He didn't in the season finale. Can't remember if he played against Carolina though. Hopefully Schmaltz can hold his own but i really think he'll play around 10 minutes with everyone else logging substantial minutes. 50 minutes for the other 2 righties to split basically. Pertro might play 30. who knows

Just ran through the lines. Not bad. Didnt really expect Sanford in over Lehtera.

Surprised with Botrz out. Is he still injured? He didn't in the season finale. Can't remember if he played against Carolina though. Hopefully Schmaltz can hold his own but i really think he'll play around 10 minutes with everyone else logging substantial minutes. 50 minutes for the other 2 righties to split basically. Pertro might play 30. who knows
- BluesDroogie

Bortz is still hurt.