From all the folks who have experienced it not just those who work in media but the locals and visitors, there seems to be nothing like the energy at those Knights' games in Las Vegas. Of course it's on my list for the next trip!
But wow that was a close one - I watched as much as I could before falling asleep like usual here on the East Coast.
That new Kraken team are not weak like I thought maybe they would be as an expansion franchise, but of course you all probably know better plus I do know they have a good goaltender.
The Lightning blown out like that on home ice surprised me.
I thought it was cool when the Lightning pulled their goalie earlier in the 3rd to score a goal and be down 3-1, but then I have no idea why they didn't just sit for a bit two goals down with well over 5 minutes to go with the goalie to secure better possession instead of going back down so quickly without the goalie.
They got their butts kicked badly on home ice, and the interview with the coach after the game was most telling for that 6-2 loss.
So far on ESPN MUCH better after those clowns at NBCSN seemed to have mailed it in for a damn year on their way out after years of their off the ice BS that did not generate casual interest and won't work.
A J Mleczko did a great job rink-side in Las Vegas in her first go at it too.
Cross-posting this one and we shall see how ESPN stays at it though I don't think streaming only for high-profile games is a good idea at all:
Check out how well the NHL debut on ESPN did in the US so as to set some records and very high historic marks as well.
I applaud ESPN for getting it right here and hope they continue or even move some games off streaming, for I am wary about how that part of the deal will go but for the lower profile games.
Well that unbeaten ambitions ends at 1. Leafs lose in Ottawa 3-2. Might was well say the Leafs only played 20 minutes tonight....so they lost 2/3rds of a game...grrr.
Habs get thumped in Buffalo 5-1.
Coyotes get throttled in Columbus 8-2....1st game of their disastrous season.... maybe their last
I saw the highlights of the Tampa Bay and Detroit game late last night and wow 7-6 Tampa Bay in OT.
I won't spoil it for you here if you have not seen them though I reckon you have a lot more highlights running in Canada on regular TV than here in the US.
Wow are both those teams terrible though given how they allowed the goals.
You would never imagine Tampa Bay are defending champions based on their play on opening night against Pittsburgh and that circus on the rink.
I can't catch enough quite yet but will be ramping up in two weeks on the games, but wow is it refreshing to have an NHL season start on time for the first time since ...2019 (which was the season that lasted forever and too long).
Having caught games early in the season via the new coverage by ESPN and TNT in the US, for sure the coverage is a step up from NBCSN and for this one Bettman does get credit.
Now I wonder just how many games the NHL will keep on TNT and ESPN as opposed to only on streaming subscriptions.
The streaming subscription coverage is not always easily accessible on stream packages and services with otherwise access to the network coverage. In any case if a good game is not on TNT or ESPN, there's always a free way to get the game.
If this is a step up then it boldd well for TSN to regain the national rights for the NHL in 2025 when Sportsnet is in the final season of their contract.
With a power struggle going on at Rogers between Ed and his family wondering if that can play a factor in if their renew or not.