“It’s almost like survival and nothing else,” the Colorado Avalanche head coach, Jared Bednar, said about the squad’s upcoming challenge. On Saturday, the NHL’s Central Division powerhouse indeed will be facing a do-or-die situation as it takes on the Dallas Stars for Game 7 of the first-round playoffs. With the series tied 3-3 so far, this will undoubtedly be a thriller worthy of being a Conference final. And yet, fans couldn’t be more shocked at how ESPN has decided to cover the upcoming high-stakes matchup.
The Avalanche finished the regular season with 102 points and in third place in the Division, just below the Stars (106). These two Western Conference Giants had met last year as well, in the Conference semi-final, as the Stars won the series 4-2. Naturally, Colorado loyalists can’t wait to see the team returning the favor this time around. However, ESPN might play the spoilsport, fans fear.
NHL Announcer Schedules posted on X on May 2, sharing the crew who will be covering the final match of the seven-game series between the two NHL rivals at the American Airlines Center. “Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, and Emily Kaplan will call Saturday’s Game 7 between the Avalanche and Stars at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC,” the post notes how an experienced bunch of NHL pundits will ensure the fans get to experience the high-octane thriller like it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, and Emily Kaplan will call Saturday’s Game 7 between the Avalanche and Stars at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Steve Levy, P.K. Subban, and Mark Messier will be in the studio for intermission coverage.
— NHL Announcer Schedules (@AnnouncersNHL) May 2, 2025
“Steve Levy, P.K. Subban, and Mark Messier will be in the studio for intermission coverage,” the tweet further announced who will be in charge of covering things when the action on the ice takes a break. However, it was the name that was missing from the list that made fans wary about how well the announced crew would be able to pull off the Avalanche’s next NHL playoff game.
McDonough has been suffering from health issues throughout the regular season. With his responsibilities spanning much beyond the realms of the NHL, hockey fans were able to see very little of Sean in his natural habitat in recent months. With him returning for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, you’d imagine fans would be vying to witness McDonough’s live coverage. But you’d be wrong.
NHL fans dismiss ESPN’s crew for Game 7 between the Avalanche and the Stars
In McDonough’s absence, Bob Wischusen stepped up for the occasion in style. Calling three of the Colorado-Dallas’ six NHL playoff games so far, Wischusen proved himself to be more than capable of the task. Noting that, and McDonough’s limitations, some fans were baffled as to why ESPN would opt for someone seemingly new to the role instead of someone who knows how the series has been so far. “his is horrible man bob has basically done every game and has done it amazing. Sean has been like always HORRIBLE and for some reason he is the main guy. im tired of complaining,” vented one fan, while another also called for Wischusen to be reinstated to his role. “What a joke. The only guy who should be calling that game is @espnbob,” reads the fan’s sneering comment.
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche Jan 16, 2023 Denver, Colorado, USA Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar 8 during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Ball Arena. Denver Ball Arena Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20230116_jma_ac4_161
Back in February, the Colorado Avalanche received incredible news. Comcast and Altitude TV set aside their dispute of the past five years to reach a new deal. Naturally, that would imply that more fans would be interested in watching Colorado’s games. Under such conditions, ESPN failing to adhere to the fans’ sentiments and instead deciding to go with a commentator who isn’t up to the mark would definitely sting. And it did. “Worst announcer in the NHL,” one fan grunted as to how McDonough will only fall short of the expectations.
“Boring!” as if another fan already knows how things will unfold without Bob Wischusen to call the game. But another fan had a simple answer as to how ESPN could cater to the NHL fans’ needs: “We want Bob Wischusen!!!” the fan’s comment stated flatly. Are you also of the same prerogative? Tell us who your choice would be to cover the weekend match between the Aves and the Stars in a comment!
The post “Joke”: ESPN Faces Fans Backlash Once Again Over Ruining NHL Playoffs appeared first on EssentiallySports.