Networks apparently taking note as Florida has become a perennial playoff team and Stanley Cup contender
It's amazing what a trip to the Stanley Cup Final can do for a hockey team's popularity.
On Wednesday, the NHL two national television partners, ABC/ESPN (Disney) and TNT, announced their full broadcast schedules.
In a change from the norm, the Florida Panthers are going to be making quite a few appearances from coast to coast.
Some might say this has been a long time coming.
In total, between TNT, ESPN, ESPN+ and ABC, the Panthers will have 12 nationally televised games next season.
Interestingly, it seems the schedule makers think Florida may have a similar season arc as they did a year ago, as only four of the 12 games take place before mid-February.
A late-season push was the reason the Panthers reached the postseason in the first place, and considering Florida is facing the possibility of starting the season without the team's top two defensemen, it's understandable if that is what the thought process was.
A few of the games jump out at you, starting with the Valentine's Day matchup with the Penguins in Pittsburgh on TNT.
Florida will also be on ABC twice, once on a Saturday afternoon in Boston and another in prime time against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
It's also worth noting that two of the Panthers last three games are on the list, Game 80 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the final game of the season, when Florida hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs.
That game, Game 82, will be on ESPN.
As for the 70 games that won't be available for a national audience, they will air locally on Bally Sports Florida.
Here's the full list of nationally televised Panthers games:
TNT
Wed, Nov. 8 at Washington 7:30 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 22 vs. Boston 7 p.m.
Wed, Dec. 6 vs. Dallas 7 p.m.
Wed, Feb. 14 at Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
Tue, Nov. 14 at San Jose (+/H) 10:30 p.m.
Tue, Feb. 27 vs. Buffalo (+/H) 7 p.m.
Sat, March 16 vs. Tampa Bay (+/H) 6 p.m.
Thu, March 21 vs. Nashville (+/H) 7:30 p.m. (changed from 7 p.m.)
Sat, March 23 at New York Rangers (ABC/+) 8 p.m.
Sat, April 6 at Boston (ABC/+) 3:30 p.m.
Thurs, April 11 vs. Columbus (+/H) 7:30 p.m. (changed from 7 p.m.) (Game 80)
Tue, April 16 vs. Toronto (ESPN) 7:30 p.m. (changed from 7 p.m.) (Game 82)