NHL Network and NHL.com unveil comprehensive coverage plans for the 2012 Stanley Cup Final

NEW YORK -- NHL Network™ and NHL.com will be front and center throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup® Final between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings and the Eastern Conference champion, reporting on every angle and providing fans with the most comprehensive coverage of the NHL's ultimate event.

NHL Network

NHL Network will begin its Stanley Cup Final coverage live from the Eastern Conference champion's home on Tuesday, May 29, at Noon, ET, with four hours of exclusive programming from the League's annual "Media Day" -- a gathering of every player, coach and GM participating in the Final. For fans who aren't able to watch the coverage live, NHL Network will air a recap show at 7:30 p.m. ET delivering all of the highlights from the day's event.

On game days, NHL Network will have three hours of live coverage leading up to the contest beginning with Cisco NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET, followed by NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show. Once the game is completed, NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game Show takes to the air to review every pass, hit, shot, block and goal. On non-game days, NHL Network will air Cisco NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET on weeknights, and NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Edition every night.

On Sunday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET, NHL Original Productions will roll out its latest program titled Inside the Cup. Throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Original Productions has made the most of its access to the League by having selected players wear microphones during games and capturing honest commentary straight from those battling on the ice every night in pursuit of the ultimate trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup. Inside the Cup weaves that unique footage and audio to tell how the remaining two teams beat the odds and earned their spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

On-Air Talent

NHL Tonight will be anchored by Kathryn Tappen, former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes and Barry Melrose - the former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who led the franchise during its last Stanley Cup Final run in 1993. The show also will feature a number of special guest analysts. Darren Pang joins fellow NHL alumnus Doug Weight, who currently serves the New York Islanders as assistant coach and special assistant to the general manager. Joe Micheletti will join broadcaster Steve Mears.

NHL Network's E.J. Hradek will host of Cisco NHL Live on all game days and non-travel days. NHL alumnus Mike Johnson will cover the Eastern Conference and various NHL Network talent will rotate as guest analysts in the West. On off-days, NHL Live regulars Deb Placey and Bill Pidto will take the helm live from the New York studio.

Longtime Los Angeles Kings host Heidi Androl will join the Network crew in the West to deliver feature content, interacting with fans and players while reporting on the atmosphere surrounding the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

All NHL Network programming will be carried in high-definition to U.S. audiences. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable, satellite or telco providers. For more information or for an updated program schedule, please visit www.nhlnetwork.com.

NHL.com

NHL.com will stream NHL Network original programming in addition to delivering original content created by a team of reporters, writers and videographers attending every press conference, practice and game. New this year, NHL.com will feature multiple camera choices for fans watching a live stream of NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day, allowing them to pick from three podiums at any point during the event to ensure they catch interviews with their favorite player or coach.

NHL.com also will live stream all post-game press conferences and feature extensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the Championship celebration with the Cup-winning club. Additional coverage includes pregame CoveritLive chats with popular NHL.com reporters and blogs submitted by hockey notables involved with the Final.

NHL Social™

NHL Social will be on location and behind the scenes at the Final, delivering real-time updates through the League's official accounts on multiple social networking websites. Follow the NHL on Twitter (@NHL), Facebook (Facebook.com/NHL and Facebook.com/StanleyCup), FourSquare (foursquare.com/NHL), Instagram (@NHL) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/TheNHL). To join the conversation, fans are encouraged to use the official hashtags #StanleyCup and #Becauseitsthecup.

NHL Network Schedule: May 28 - June 3

(all times ET and subject to change)

Monday, May 28

NHL Tonight 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview - 9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29

NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview (encore) - 11 a.m.

NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day - 12 p.m.

NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day (encore) - 4 p.m.

NHL Plays of the Week: Plays of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - 7 p.m.

NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day Recap - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30

Cisco NHL Live - 5 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show - 7 p.m.

Game 1 - Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) - 8 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show - Immediately following game

Thursday, May 31

Cisco NHL Live - 5 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition - 10 p.m.

Friday, June 1

Cisco NHL Live - 5 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition - 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 2

Cisco NHL Live - 5 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show - 7 p.m.

Game 2 - Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) - 8 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show - Immediately following game

Sunday, June 3

Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - 8 p.m.

NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition - 9 p.m.

Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs (encore) - 11 p.m.