NHL Gamecenter and the playoffs

[b0mberMan]

So I don't have cable anymore, but instead rely on the Roku and an HDTV antenna. Anyhow, I subscribed to NHL Gamecenter this year and its been fantastic in that I live in Boston but am a Rangers fan, so I've seen a lot of the season (also have watched quite a few Calgary games).

Am curious if anyone with experience with Gamecenter knows what I can expect for the playoffs. I think the agreement is "you can watch any game not available via broadcast in your area." So any Bruins game (NESN), any game on the NHL Network, or anything on NBC Sports wasn't available this year. Are all playoff games "nationally televised?"

I need to figure out how much time I can reasonably spend at the bar this next month in the name of hockey.

[bchockey04]

So I don't have cable anymore, but instead rely on the Roku and an HDTV antenna. Anyhow, I subscribed to NHL Gamecenter this year and its been fantastic in that I live in Boston but am a Rangers fan, so I've seen a lot of the season (also have watched quite a few Calgary games).

Am curious if anyone with experience with Gamecenter knows what I can expect for the playoffs. I think the agreement is "you can watch any game not available via broadcast in your area." So any Bruins game (NESN), any game on the NHL Network, or anything on NBC Sports wasn't available this year. Are all playoff games "nationally televised?"

I need to figure out how much time I can reasonably spend at the bar this next month in the name of hockey.

From the NHL website:

In the United States all Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final games will be nationally televised. NHLN and NBC/NBC Sports pick up every game thanks to the local broadcasts.

[b0mberMan]

Crap.

[claver2010]

yeah in the same scenario and it's an awesome product, have it on the ipad & the xbox

i think for playoffs you're going to need to head to the bar nightly, beileve they blackout the video and all you get is the rdio feed

[shockdoct]

Ad-free time is your friend.

[b0mberMan]

Ad-free time is your friend.

I'm reading about it and it looks like the main use of this is to get servers to think you are in the US. How can I use this to make them think I'm not in the US/Canada for Gamecenter?

[twballgame9]

I get using the Interwebs and phone apps for TV - god bless Chromecast, Watch ESPN and HBO Go - but I don't get cutting cable entirely. Is it just a cost thing?

[b0mberMan]

I get using the Interwebs and phone apps for TV - god bless Chromecast, Watch ESPN and HBO Go - but I don't get cutting cable entirely. Is it just a cost thing?

We just weren't using it. We have a relative's ESPN login so we can watch anything on ESPN, have an antenna for the major networks, which covers a good chunk of the sports stuff, and since I like hockey, I subscribed to NHL Gamecenter.

We live a block from a bar, so anything that is really important can be viewed there. I've caught a few BC hockey games there, for instance.

On the non-sports front, I don't really have a need to watch shows as they come out, so whatever is on Netflix or Amazon Prime is good enough.

[twballgame9]

That makes sense. I guess if you are patient enough for the non premium, non network stuff like Breaking Bad to come out on Netflix or Amazon, it works just fine. I'd feel like I was missing stuff without the DVR, and I know I would get backlogged with 80 things on my Netflix. Working through their original programming is hard enough.

I guess I am just locked in to what I am used to, and lazy. Would love to tell Comcast to fuck off.

[b0mberMan]

I guess I am just locked in to what I am used to, and lazy. Would love to tell Comcast to fuck off.

Yup. We took the opportunity of a recent move to make the change to our service. Without it, we'd still have our cable

[claver2010]

does watchespn / espn3 / whatever they call that not live stream games on espn? if so that would be a reason for me not to cut the cord

i've long debated it as i can get mets & rangers via mlbtv & nhl gamecenter and like you i don't care about seeing other shows as they break

[twballgame9]

I think all espns, including 3, are on Watch espn. But I need a cable login to use Watch ESPN. It hasn't followed HBO Go yet - it would cripple the cable companies if it did.

[b0mberMan]

does watchespn / espn3 / whatever they call that not live stream games on espn? if so that would be a reason for me not to cut the cord

i've long debated it as i can get mets & rangers via mlbtv & nhl gamecenter and like you i don't care about seeing other shows as they break

No, you get the ESPN suite of channels live on WatchESPN as well. The issue is you have to know someone who will give you their password. If you have non-internet savvy parents, for instance.

[claver2010]

interesting, i think my @bc.edu email is still the one connected and in the past they gave it to students for free, might be worth checking out. thanks

[b0mberMan]

Ad-free time is your friend.

AnD now I have a solution to games blacked out in my area. Remarkably easy to do. Thanks shock.

[shockdoct]

Personally I find the nhl gamecenter black out policy obnoxious. I will absolutely acknowledge the local market exclusivity and to a lesser degree the NBCSN broadcasts. The nationwide black out when they are simply broadcasting a re-transmission of a local affiliate feed on the NHL network is ridiculous (with absolutely no production added).

When I lived in New York as a Bruins fan, I was unable to watch half the games on the service after the devils, islanders, rangers, nbcsn, nbc, and nhl network black outs. That's when I found ad-free time.

Btw if you sign up for nhl gamecenter using the ad-free time dns, you also get the international rate ($99).

[DomingoOrtiz]

How did the Senators make the playoffs? Besides Carlson, they are garbage.

[claver2010]

an AHL goalie went on an insane run for about 6 weeks?

johnny got drilled from behind into the boards late in the game by burrows who got tossed for the hit

[twballgame9]

How did the Senators make the playoffs? Besides Carlson, they are garbage.

Andrew Hammond and the most ridiculous stretch of 20-2-1, 1.79 gaa goaltending you will ever see.

[DomingoOrtiz]

How did the Senators make the playoffs? Besides Carlson, they are garbage.

Andrew Hammond and the most ridiculous stretch of 20-2-1, 1.79 gaa goaltending you will ever see.

They should go full goon tonight. Hopefully someone will injure PK.

[commavegarage]

missed the calgary game but sounded great

[b0mberMan]

missed the calgary game but sounded great

Really fun 3rd period. Plus Gaudreau with an absolute snipe to tie it up.

[twballgame9]

Still not sure how that was not ruled a goal.

[claver2010]

agreed 100%

the overhead view you couldn't see it but on the 45 degree angle shot you could see white between the puck and the goal line

[DomingoOrtiz]

missed the calgary game but sounded great

Wow cant believe Calgary won! I only watched the 1st period but it was like watching an NHL team vs a college team.

[b0mberMan]

missed the calgary game but sounded great

Wow cant believe Calgary won! I only watched the 1st period but it was like watching an NHL team vs a college team.

Yeah, I don't think Calgary really has much of a shot in this series, but they're kind of in bonus territory for their season anyhow. They're not a cup contender as built right now. Anaheim is.

[bchockey04]

Obviously i'm biased in this...but i'd love to see the Capitals vs. Boudreau in the final.

[claver2010]

...

https://twitter.com/myregularface/statu ... 4390055937

some can post the gif

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CEh1vFBVAAA7OTU.mp4

[flyingelvii]

Technically a Monahan goal (sick hair bro!) but holy hell that was nice.

[b0mberMan]

And the Ducks prove too much for the Flames, but Gaudreau does get another snipe in before its over. 9 goals in 11 games as a 140 lb rookie in his first playoffs not bad.

Flames were fun this year, fiesty group. And I had no idea that Sean Monahan was this good (he was just a name on the rookie scoring lists to me last year). It will be interesting to see if they buy their own hype and take the Avs approach that blew up in their faces this year, or if they keep trying to build around the young guys they have for a real run 2-3 years from now.