The Bruins-Hurricanes fight-filled Saturday night opener for NESN earned a 3.9 household rating, which marks the network's highest-rated season-opening broadcast in 25 years of covering the Bruins. NESN's 3.9 rating also was the highest average household rating recorded in the Boston DMA (designated market area) during the game's 7-10 p.m. window, beating all other broadcasts and cable networks during that time period.
The network's previous high rating for a season-opening broadcast came on Jan. 23, 1995, when the network earned a 3.8 rating for its first broadcast of that lockout-shortened season.
While the game was NESN's first of 2009-10, the Bruins opened the season two nights earlier with a loss to Washington in a game that was broadcast on Versus.
WILMINGTON — Milan Lucic is skating free and easy without any trace of a limp on the top line along with Marc Savard and Marco Sturm in Tuesday morning's Bruins practice at Ristuccia Arena. Lucic missed Monday's session because of a facial abrasion that became infected. It was addressed medically. The "personal day" for Lucic had nothing to do with his legs or his right punching hand, refuting rumors that it was a carryover from Saturday night's bloody brawl in which Lucic abused Carolina's Jay Harrison. See the Big Bad Blog for more updates from practice.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers appeared on Dennis & Callahan Tuesday morning to discuss the team's preseason preparations as they get set to play the Houston Rockets in Hidaglo, Texas, on Wednesday night. Rivers said the biggest development in camp has been the play of newcomers Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels.
"I think Rasheed and Marquis Daniels, they really have solidified our bench. It's a veteran bench, very similar to two years ago," Rivers said. "Rasheed's ability to stretch the floor will be amazing when he plays with [Kendrick Perkins] or Kevin [Garnett], it doesn't really matter which one he plays with. ... And Marquis Daniels, he's really good for our team. He's a small forward, he plays 2 guard as well. From his position, he can handle the ball, and that frees up Eddie [House]."
Rivers said he expects Wallace quickly will win over Celtics fans who got used to cheering against him during his long...
Check in with Tuesday's Morning Mashup, where we'll get you up to date on the non-controversy involving former Patriots teammates and prepare for a potential goodbye game at the Metrodome. Get all caught up with the news, links, trivia and videos here.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick appeared on The Big Show Monday afternoon to discuss the Patriots' 27-21 victory over the Ravens.
Belichick spoke positively about the improvement by the Patriots defensive backfield.
"We had our hands on more balls in this game than we have in any other game, and we finally got an interception, so we broke the ice on that," Belichick said. "I think the good thing about the pass defense this year has been we haven't given up big plays. We haven't give up those 50- and 60-yarders, those big plays down the field that just break your back. We didn't play as well on third down as we would like to, but we had our moments on that the previous couple of weeks."
The coach also addressed the rumor that linebacker Junior Seau is preparing to re-sign with the team.
"He did have a physical," Belichick admitted. "We haven't done anything yet. Is it a...
Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.
On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.
In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.
Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.
John Farrell postgame press conference
Joe & Dave talked to the Sox outfielder, who pounded the ball out of the park to win the second game of the doubleheader against the Rays.
John Farrell postgame press conference
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Keegan Bradley hopped on the set in Connecticut with D&C to talk some golf, but seeing as how he's a big Boston sports fan, the interview covered a lot of ground. You can hear Keegan talk about the Bruins' Cup chances, the Doc Rivers deal that almost was, and Shawn Thornton's lacking golf game.
Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins' win.
Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Salk and Holley break down a big Bruins win over the Blackhawks in Game 3 at the Garden.
We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, as Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for Game 3 and beyond.
Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. T.O. visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.
Mikey gets a surprise call from Red Sox legend Bernie Carbo. They talk about old-time baseball and Bernie's new book.
Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, "Plimpton!" and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything George Plimpton accomplished during his life.
Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.
You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.
The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.
You ask, we answer... anything!
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
More from this showShawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.
More from this showThe guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.
More from this showBoth Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.
More from this showIt all started when McNeil and Spiegel from The Score in Chicago called Boston people drunks and called Fenway a "dump." Knowing that McNeil and Speigel weren't interested in talking to them on air, Lou called in to their show anyway. At first they were afraid, but they finally succumbed to the pressure.
More from this show