NBC picks up the Stanley Cup final with Game 3, which looks like the network is getting the rights to air Titanic but only after the ship is halfway submerged.

Ok, so now the Wings wins are comparable to a disaster ala the Titanic in the eyes of the media? What exactly is going on here? Would these same people be saying shit like this if the Pens were up? Or would they be going on about how glorious it was that NBC finally got to air the brilliance of Gary’s Golden Boy? Ugh. I’m getting really tired of this crap. The Wings are playing incredibly but continue to get shit on by the media. I’m fighting mad now.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 05/27/08 at 01:34 PM ET

Jennifer - I can appreciate why you must be frustrated, but I think what Farber is saying is not that is a “titanic” for the Wings to win, but that it represents a serious issue for television ratings if the series continues to be as lopsided as this one has been thus far. 

The Wings are indeed playing incredible. But dominating a series like they have so far just isn’t so great for broadcasters if the Penguins continue to play this poorly.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 05/27/08 at 01:43 PM ET

I don’t know if I can give him as much credit as you do Alanah. Calling it “halfway submerged” isn’t exactly a positive statement. I’m not asking for ringing endorsements of the Wings, only reasonably unbiased journalism. I think that’s too much to ask these days.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 05/27/08 at 02:39 PM ET

Actually, the mainstream media probably WOULD be upset if Pittsburgh were to be as dominant as Detroit.  What they were hoping for was a Hollywood script, with the old titans with recent Cups and history of acheivement stretching back for decades, an Original Six team with one of the most recognizable (and unchanged) logos in the league, and outstanding stars in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, matching up against the New Guard Penguins, with a more brief history, although not devoid of accomplishment, and led by the new superstar-in-the-making Sidney Crosby flanked by the enigmatic Russian talent of Malkin.

If all went according to plan, the series would be a long, hard-fought affair, (maximizing the advertising revenue) with magnificent goals, scintillating end-to-end rushes, and spectacular saves - maybe a few intense overtime games as well - culminating in a Game Seven that would be likely to be so exciting that even casual hockey fans would tune in to see what the fuss was about, and in their curiosity be so hooked on the sport by the luminous talent on display that they would immediately run out and buy merchandise, season tickets, and clamour for their cable or satellite providers to carry MORE HOCKEY!!!

Or something like that. 

One-sided series are just boring.  They are even a little bit boring for the fans of the winning side, and they certainly don’t go long enough to attract attention from people who aren’t watching already.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/27/08 at 02:49 PM ET

And one-sided series don’t bring in nearly as much money from advertising, either.  Not that the networks are paying attnetion to that little detail, of course. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/27/08 at 02:51 PM ET

Baroque --

This series has featured “magnificent goals, scintillating end-to-end rushes, and spectacular saves.” It’s just that so far, they’ve all been by the Red Wings. Apologies to the MSM, et al, but I couldn’t be less bored. In fact, I’m on the edge of my seat. Any casual fans or non-Wings fans who want to get in on the excitement are welcome to jump on the bandwagon anytime. This wild ride isn’t close to over yet.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/27/08 at 03:13 PM ET

Jennifer - I hear you, but I don’t think the writer means it in the way you’re taking it.

The Pens are down 2-0, and haven’t even scored a goal in this series.  Hyped as it was about being the “perfect match”, it’s not living up to that billing, and the league has to be concerned that DET could come into PIT, kick their butts for two more games and end it unceremoniously.  That won’t be a ratings coup for NBC or the NHL.

I love it though.  I’m watching every game, screaming at the TV for more, more… more golas, more hits, mor domination.  I want them to break MAF the way they’ve broken Turco, I wants Malkin and Crosby to be shut out for the series, and I want Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts run through the boards.

Because that’s what a fan does.  And as a fan, I could care less how that effects the rest fo the league, so long as my team reaises Stanley.

Posted by Primis on 05/27/08 at 04:01 PM ET