NBC Sports Premieres NHL 36: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS Today

NBC Sports Group and the National Hockey League today announced the return of the acclaimed all-access series NHL 36, with a special two-part edition focused on Presidents' Trophy winners, the Chicago Blackhawks. The new episode, which for the first time trained its cameras upon an entire team, airs tomorrow night on NBC Sports Network, immediately following post-game coverage of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks (9:30 p.m. ET).

Part of the 36 Series on NBC Sports Network, NHL 36: Chicago Blackhawks will provide an all-access pass to the club that began the 2012-13 regular season with a historic 24-game point streak, and went on to capture the Central Division title and the Presidents' Trophy. The Blackhawks now are setting their sights on the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, as they take on the Minnesota Wild in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Providing the ultimate behind-the-scenes view into the League, NHL Original Productions began following the Blackhawks on April 19 and stayed with the team through 36 hours as some of the NHL's biggest stars - including Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp - played back-to-back home games against the Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes.

From the coaching staff to the Chairman of the Board, players and team personnel, all members of the Chicago Blackhawks' family were in front of the NHL 36 cameras. Cameras captured Head Coach Joel Quenneville at home with his family discussing the possibility of missing his daughter's graduation due to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the grueling schedule of an equipment manager, the player's lighter side and Chairman of the Board Rocky Wirtz's unique relationship with the fans.

"Compelling, story-driven programming is a staple of our network and the 36 Series," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. "The Blackhawks incredible season and The Players on this year's team, make for a very exciting NHL 36 episode."

"NHL 36 is about storytelling. It is about taking fans behind the scenes, bringing them closer to The Game and allowing them to witness parts of it they wouldn't have seen otherwise," said Bob Chesterman, NHL Vice President of Programming. "The stories that unfold in front of our cameras have universal appeal."

About NBC Sports Network's 36 Series
The acclaimed NBC Sports Network original series gives viewers an all-access pass into the life of an athlete or a team in The Middle of a season. The 36 series includes NHL 36, MLS 36, IndyCar 36 and Fight Night 36.

About NHL Original Productions
NHL Original Productions is the in-house production arm of the NHL, focused on documenting, preserving and promoting The Game of hockey. Established in 2011, NHL Original Productions develops long- and short-form hockey programming for use by the League's media platforms (NHL Network and NHL.com), as well as national and regional rights-holders.

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