Mark Madden

Mark Madden

The Super Genius of Pittsburgh Sports.Full Bio

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PENS ON NATIONAL TV = NO BIG DEAL

The Penguins have 15 games on national TV this coming season.Ā 

Some are thrilled by that.

Not me. In fact, IĀ don’tĀ like it.Ā 

Being on national TV repeatedlyĀ isn’tĀ a validation of the franchise. Five Stanley CupsĀ validateĀ the franchise. Mario Lemieux and Sidney CrosbyĀ validateĀ the franchise. Rafters clogged with legitimate bannersĀ validateĀ the franchise.Ā 

My watching pattern for the Penguins is long sinceĀ established.Ā 

IfĀ it’sĀ a home game, I attend.

IfĀ it’sĀ an away game, IĀ watchĀ it on TV. What channelĀ doesn’tĀ matter.Ā IĀ don’tĀ get adrenalized by the Penguins appearing on, say, the Worldwide Leader. (Unless John Buccigross is involved. Then there's parm potential.)Ā 

But if the game is nationally televised, the time usually gets moved.Ā 

IfĀ it’sĀ a weeknight game,Ā it’sĀ at 7:30 0r 8 instead of 7.Ā 

IfĀ it’sĀ a weekend game, itĀ might move to the afternoon.Ā 

Later sucks. Afternoon sucks.Ā 

God intended the puck to drop at 7 p.m., 7:30 at the latest. That goes for every day of the week. Any other time is blasphemy.Ā 

New Jersey fans are on X bragging that the Devils are on national TV 16 times.Ā ā€œPeople want to watch the New Jersey Devils!ā€Ā 

That’sĀ the kind of perverse prideĀ you’veĀ got to invent when your team has won one playoff series since 2012 and zero Stanley Cups since 2003. Have fun playing with your clicker.


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