New York Islanders: Three Better Options for NBC Games to Broadcast

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Jordan Eberle #7 of the New York Islanders celebrates his third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on April 12, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Again, the New York Islanders fail to get significant national TV coverage with NBC. Maybe if they televised games that mattered more they might get the views they want. Here are three suggestions.

Last year, the New York Islanders had a single nationally televised game by NBC. That game was at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 3rd.

I remember making a fuss about that frankly ridiculously low number of appearances back in 2018. How could the New York Islanders create a larger following – something NBC should be concerned about for all 31 teams – if they aren’t shared with a wider audience?

This season, the New York Islanders slate of

nationally televised games will increase by one

. The first is their game on January 3rd against the New Jersey Devils and the second is on February 4th against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Let’s be fair, the Islanders following isn’t as big as other teams. So when it comes to TV ratings, they just aren’t a big draw. Which is why they get few games from NBC.

So to get the Islanders on the schedule NBC essentially gets whatever game they fell can maximize viewers. I’m not sure how games against the Devils and Philly will do that. Sure, both are divisional rivals, but the drama of playing against the Flyers or the Devils isn’t the same as it is against other teams.

With that in mind, here are three better New York Islanders games that NBC should have broadcast instead of the two they picked.