NHL likely pleased with Stanley Cup Final matchup possibilities

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Canada’s last hope for a Stanley Cup championship is out of the NHL playoffs.

The Montreal Canadiens were bounced last night by the New York Rangers.

Despite what Habs’ fans think, the NHL must be happy. Rick Dhaliwal in the News1130 Sports Centre says that’s because it could set up a final between the Rangers and the LA Kings.

“The matchup between the Rangers and the Kings would obviously be a dream matchup, not only for the NHL and Gary Bettman, but for television, as well. Ratings on NBC would be great with the two biggest markets in the US going toe-to-toe in the Stanley Cup Final, if that was to happen.”

The Kings are currently leading the Western Conference Final series 3-2 over the Blackhawks.

Dhaliwal notes while there’s no guarantee the Kings will actually advance, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“Chicago’s a hockey market; Chicago brings big ratings to NBC, as well. I mean, when they won the Stanley Cup Finals, they had two million people go to their parade. So, a Chicago-New York final would not be bad for the NHL and NBC.”

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