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MSG Networks Will Keep Viewers Cool This Summer with Robust Lineup of Hockey Programming

"Hockey Night Live: Free Agency Special" Live on Wednesday, July 1 at 10:00 p.m. on MSG

"Rangers Classics" Premieres on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. on MSG

"Patrik Elias: Re-writing Devils History" Premieres on Thursday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. on MSG Plus

"Islanders Break-Out" Premieres on Monday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m. on MSG Plus

New York, NY, June 30, 2009 – MSG Networks are helping viewers beat the summer heat with a lineup of hockey programming including three new series and a half-hour special. The programming kicks off on MSG on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. with "Rangers Classics," followed by the half-hour "Hockey Night Live: Free Agency Special" at 10:00 p.m. On MSG Plus viewers can get their Devils and Islanders coverage with "Patrik Elias: Re-writing Devils History" premiering on Thursday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. and "Islanders Break-Out" beginning on Monday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m.

"MSG and MSG Plus own hockey in New York, and even though the ice is melted we want to make sure that area fans can get their home team fix," said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager of MSG Networks. "As we gear up for next season fans can remember the excitement from last year with our new Rangers, Devils and Islanders shows. And on Wednesday night our 'Hockey Night Live' panel of experts will break down all of the free agency moves across the NHL. The "HNL" franchise has really become a must watch for hockey fans."

Below is further information and schedules for each of the new hockey shows on MSG and MSG Plus.

"Rangers Classics" – Premieres on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. on MSG

MSG will relive classic New York Rangers games of the storied 1994 Stanley Cup run and significant wins of the 2008-09 seasons in the new ten episode series "Rangers Classics." Each episode will feature one classic game shortened to two hours, a schedule for the series is included below:

  • July 1 – Episode #1: NY Rangers at NJ Devils (5/25/94)
    1994 Eastern Conference Finals – Game 6: Messier's Guarantee
  • July 8 – Episode #2: NJ Devils at NY Rangers (5/27/94)
    1994 Eastern Conference Finals – Game 7 (2 OT): Matteau's Goal
  • July 15 – Episode #3: NY Rangers at Vancouver Canucks (6/7/94)
    1994 Stanley Cup Finals – Game 4
  • July 22 – Episode #4: Vancouver Canucks at NY Rangers (6/14/94)
    1994 Stanley Cup Finals – Game 7: Rangers Win Stanley Cup
  • July 29 – Episode #5: Pittsburgh Penguins at NY Rangers (10/25/08)
    Shootout win
  • August 5 – Episode #6: Colorado Avalanche at NY Rangers (2/28/09)
    6-1 Win; John Totorella's first win as Rangers' coach
  • August 19 – Episode #7: NY Rangers at NY Islanders (3/5/09)
    4-2 Win; Sean Avery's return as a Rangers
  • August 26 – Episode #8: Montreal Canadiens at NY Rangers (4/7/09)
    Crucial victory in fight for playoff spot
  • September 2 – Episode #9: Philadelphia Flyers at NY Rangers (4/9/09)
    Rangers Clinch Playoff berth
  • September 9 – Episode #10: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: NY Rangers at Washington Capitals (4/15/09)
    Rangers win 4-3; Lundqvist outstanding

"Hockey Night Live: Free Agency Special" – Premieres on Wednesday, July 1 at 10:00 p.m. on MSG

The half-hour "Hockey Night Live: Free Agency Special" will break down all of the key signings of the first day of free agency, traditionally one of the most active days on the NHL calendar. The show will focus on the three New York area hockey teams – New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils – as well as the Buffalo Sabres (telecast on MSG in the Buffalo area). MSG's lineup of hockey experts, including Ken Daneyko, Butch Goring and Dave Maloney, will provide their insight and analysis on the key signings of the day both locally and around the league. The show will be hosted by Al Trautwig.

"Patrik Elias: Re-writing Devils History" – Premieres on Thursday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. on MSG Plus

MSG Plus will commemorate the record-breaking career of New Jersey Devils great Patrik Elias with a seven episode series "Patrik Elias: Rewriting Devils History" revisiting the remarkable games of Elias' career leading to him breaking the all-time franchise scoring record for the Devils this past season. Each two hour episode will be hosted by Steve Cangialosi and Ken Daneyko, a schedule for the series is included below:

  • July 2 – Episode #1: 2000 Eastern Conference Finals – Game 7: NJ Devils at Philadelphia Flyers (5/26/00)
    Elias scores series winning goal
  • July 9 – Episode #2: 2000 Stanley Cup Finals – Game 6: NJ Devils at Dallas Stars (6/10/00)
    Elias wins 1st Cup
  • July 16 – Episode #3: San Jose at NJ Devils (10/18/01)
    Elias' 3G, 2A; A-line combines for 12 points in a game
  • July 23 – Episode #4: NY Islanders at NJ Devils (3/30/03)
    Elias' 4-Goal Game; Devils win 6-0
  • July 30 – Episode #5: 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Game 1: NY Rangers at Devils (4/22/06)
    Elias crafts a 6-point game
  • August 6 – Episode #6: NJ Devils at Philadelphia Flyers (12/4/08)
    Elias scores game tying & game winning goals; OT goal ties Jaromir Jagr & Mats Sundin for most in regular season with 15
  • August 13 – Episode #7: Chicago Blackhawks at NJ Devils (3/17/09)
    Elias breaks Devils franchise all-time scoring record with 702nd point

"Islanders Break-Out" – Premieres on Monday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m. on MSG Plus

MSG Plus will relive the New York Islanders great "break-out" wins of the 2008-09 season with the new five episode series "Islanders Break-Out." Premiering on Monday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m., each two hour episode will revisit one of the Islanders games from this past season where Isles players achieved great success on the ice.

"Islanders Break-Out" is hosted by Stan Fischler and Butch Goring, a schedule for the series is included below:

  • July 6 – Episode #1: Toronto Maple Leafs at NY Islanders (12/26/08)
    Bill Guerin becomes the 8th American player to score 400 goals in the NHL
  • July 13 – Episode #2: NJ Devils at NY Islanders (3/7/09)
    The Isles barrage the Devils for 7 goals, including Sean Bergenheim's hat trick
  • July 20 – Episode #3: NY Islanders at Montreal Canadiens (3/12/09)
    Kyle Okposo scores game winner 26 seconds into OT
  • July 27 – Episode #4: NY Islanders at Chicago Blackhawks (3/15/09)
    Goalie Peter Mannino leads the Isles to victory in his 1st NHL start and with his parents in attendance
  • August 3 – Episode #5: NY Islanders at Detroit Red Wings (3/27/09)
    Isles shutout the defending Stanley Cup champs in Detroit as Joey McDonald earned his first career shutout

Hockey fans can also get up to date information on their favorite teams, commentary from MSG's hockey experts, and much more on MSG.com.