Yes, Really

Yes.  Yes he did, you Bitter Clinger, you. 

―:☺:―

The playoffs begin Wednesday and the NHL has announced the schedule for the games themselves but not the teevee schedule (yet).  Some fans will miss some games during the first round, given the fact that there will be at least two games being played simultaneously every night during the quarter-finals and only one network (Versus) broadcasting the playoffs during weeknights.  As an example, both Washington - New York and Detroit - Phoenix play at 1900 hrs this Wednesday night and I'm betting Versus chooses the Ovechkin game for national teevee.  Why?  Because of the ultra-hyped Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry and the fact Ovechkin has more name recognition with the hoi polloi than any three Dee-troit or Phoenix players outside of their home markets.  Speaking of markets, there's also the fact Noo Yawk City will have more eyeballs on the playoffs than Phoenix and Dee-troit combined and it's all about the money, innit?  

The teevee situation would REALLY suck for YrHmblScrb if our first round opponent were anyone other than Phoenix.  But Comcast rides to my rescue, given the odd fact my local cable franchise gives us Fox Sports Arizona as the "local" sports network of choice.  THEIR choice, I should add.  The corporate mentality apparently doesn't recognize the fact we're about nine miles west of the Tejas border and sports fans in P-Ville wear Dallas Cowboys jerseys, Stars sweaters, and such.  But Hey!  I'M grateful for their cluelessness, at any rate.  There's also another answer, and one I've been considering for about three years now: NHL Center Ice.  But inertia is strong and I am lazy... in that I would have to switch teevee providers (cable to satellite) coz Comcast, once again, doesn't offer the Center Ice package in my area... mostly because there ain't no hockey fans on The High Plains of New Mexico.  Or sumthin' like that.

So, here we are... the Most Wonderful Time O' the Year begins Wednesday and we are ready for at least five hours of hockey every single night for about 12 days, then a game every night for another ten or 20 days, then a game every other night for a week or so, and then the parade down Woodward Avenue in June, if the hockey gods smile upon us and the Wings are sufficiently motivated and healthy.

One final note... this is also the time o' year when blog traffic falls off the cliff.  But that's OK; I can live with that.  I have my priorities aligned correctly... screw the rest of ya.    <=== that's a cigar.

Update:  Well, I was wrong.  Imagine that!

VERSUS: Playoff coverage begins on VERSUS with a tripleheader this Wednesday night, the first night of the postseason. The Red Wings host the Coyotes in Game 1 of their series at 7 p.m. ET followed by the conclusion of the Capitals hosting the Rangers (joined in progress). VERSUS’ Wednesday night coverage concludes with the West’s No. 1 Vancouver Canucks hosting the defending Stanley Cup champion No. 8 Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET. 

I'm thinkin' mebbe there's a conflict between Versus, who does NOT have exclusive broadcast rights during the first round, and some other provider.  But Hey!  I get what **I** want and that's what matters within the walls of El Casa Móvil De Pennington.  More teevee details here.