Inspired by the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff win over the Dallas Stars 18:06 into the fourth overtime yesterday morning, we’re calling our Friday TV sports weekend preview post “The 4th OT.” And by the end of the week, we feel like we’ve been through 4 OTs ourselves.
I’ve read reports that some Versus affiliates actually cut away from that game sometime in the 4th OT to air infomercials. I remember in my prime hockey-watching years trying to stay awake for the playoff OT marathons and usually failing. I would’ve been incensed had I actually stayed awake to see the sudden-death goal only to get Erik Estrada’s timeshare pitch instead.
Random Aside: I think I will like Le Anne Schreiber, ESPN’s new ombudsman. I think Sean Salisbury will not.
Tonight
America’s Cup: 1851-2007, ESPN Classic. This documentary fills us in on the first 156 years that we missed of the America’s Cup regatta. It’s narrated by Walter Cronkite! Versus has coverage of this year’s America’s Cup from Spain next month, but plans to switch to the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie Barbecue show before the race finishes.
NHL Playoffs: Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, Game 2, Versus. I think I’ve beaten up on Versus enough for today.
NBA Basketball: Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat and L.A. Lakers at Phoenix Suns, ESPN. Kobe Bryant put up 50 last night and the Lakers still lost. Tonight looks like a Lakers/Suns first-round playoff series preview.
Saturday
NHL Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators, Game 2, NBC. If you just can’t get enough Sidney Crosby, NBC is having a “Crosby cam” trained on him for the entire game.
Major League Baseball: L.A. Angels at Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies or Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners, FOX. We’re taking wagers on which game will be snowed out.
Sunday
NHL Playoffs: Calgary Flames at Detroit Red Wings, Game 2, NBC. What should be used to clean octopus stains off a TV screen?
NASCAR Nextel Cup Samsung 500 from Texas Motor Speedway, FOX. The winner gets firearms!
Jackie Robinson Day: San Diego Padres at L.A. Dodgers, ESPN/ESPN HD. The 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier gets extensive coverage from just about every ESPN entity. And Stu Scott will be there to dispense his words of affection.
