When David Krejci temporarily put the Bruins ahead with a second-period goal in Game 4, everybody on the NBC telecast was convinced it would be waved off. As the puck moved through the net, Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov experienced trouble getting his skate over to the post, because Brad Marchand’s stick was was wedged there while he fought for position.
Though it seemed to be a pretty routine play — sticks are allowed to be in the crease along with the puck — Islanders coach Barry Trotz called for a review. Instantly, Pierre McGuire said the goal would overturned.
“We’ve seen that call before,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Joe Micheletti, who also calls New York Rangers games, agreed. “Does Marchand prevent Varlamov from playing his position? Personally, I think it’s going to be waved off,” he said.
Play-by-play man John Forslund added his voice to the broadcast chorus: no goal. Then the officials came back, and actually slapped a penalty on the Islanders.
“We’re a team,” Forslund said. “All three go down.”
The Bruins’ uninspiring play against the Islanders has been tough enough to watch, but NBC’s apparent efforts to paint them as the heel are only making it worse. During Game 5, the Islanders got away with numerous cheap shots, while the Bruins were called for four penalties. Most egregiously, Sean Kuraly was whistled for a slash in the second period, despite never appearing to touch the Islander he was defending.
And yet, how did Kathryn Tappen and Anson Carter describe the Bruins’ play during intermission? “Undisciplined.”
Even in a lame duck year, NBC seemingly doesn’t want to contradict its rights partner.
It’s understandable why playoff contests are exclusively carried on national networks, given the insane amounts of money they pay to broadcast games. But man, it would’ve been validating to hear Jack Edwards also have a conniption while Travis Zajac got away with a hook on Krejci, or Kyle Palmieri escaped punishment for a high-stick on Craig Smith.
Instead, we got McGuire excusing the Islanders cross-checking Brad Marchand into the boards, and extolling Mat Barzal.
With the NHL heading to ESPN and Turner Sports next season, these are the last postseason games that will air on NBC — at least for seven years. While there’s destined to be some turnover, the voices calling the action probably won’t change all that much. There are a finite number of established national NHL broadcasters.
McGuire, for example, will undoubtedly be a fixture on one of the two networks — and Micheletti could join him.
But if that doesn’t work out, they could always join the local Islanders crew. Their work this series would serve as the perfect demo reel.