NHL TV Schedule: Despite Lockout Fears, League Announces National Coverage

This is an annual Puck the Media tradition, dating back to the glorious days of Wordpress. Going around the league, we show you when each team will be on television, regardless of network, this season.

Now, for American teams, I’ll be showing you the games when they’ll be on American networks. For Canadian teams, Canadian networks. Sorry, but no Rangers on TSN or Canucks on NBCSN for you, gang.

NHL Network remains a haven for hockey addicts to get their sweet, sweet methodone of NHL action during the regular season. Unlike doubleheader-averse NBC, NHL Network will air 14 twin bills, as well as three tripleheaders, during the 2012-13 season as part of a 78-game schedule.

The simulcasts of CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada” continue to diminish, though NHL Network promises it will air “Coach’s Corner” and “The Hotstove” during Saturday night studio programming.

The NHL’s television partners in Canada continue to cater to the Torontos and Montreals of the world, which will likely upset fans of the other five Canadian teams.

The Canadiens and Maple Leafs will appear on Canada’s national networks (English-language, at least) a whopping 44 times, more than any other team this season. The Habs will get 29 telecasts on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, while the Leafs will lead the league with 19 showings over at The NHL on TSN.

NBC and NBC Sports Network will continue to lead the way for NHL coverage in the United States. The two networks will combine to show more than 100 games, including opening night, the All-Star Game, Hockey Day in America and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins lead the way, making 17 appearances on NBCSN. The Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals will have 12 exclusive appearances on the network. As was the case last year, NBC Sports Network will continue to air a number of games that will be broadcast by regional sports networks in the markets of the two teams playing.

NBC will also carry the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1, along with extensive coverage of NHL All-Star Weekend in Columbus, Ohio, from Jan. 25-27. Meanwhile, the NHL Network is scheduled to televise 78 live games, with most of the coverage falling on Thursday nights and Saturdays.

If you want a look at the complete national broadcast schedule, head over to NHL.com. Of course, this is all subject to the disclaimer that the NHL season may not actually start on Oct. 11 as the schedule says it will, because the ongoing CBA negotiations could lead to a lockout scenario.