Look, it doesn't matter to me because I purchase the NHL Center Ice Package every season, which allows me to watch nearly every game I want during the 82-game regular season when I'm not attending a game, but if I'm a Hurricanes' or Predators' fan I'm not real happy with VERSUS.

The 56-game regular season package on VERSUS includes just one Carolina game (March 9) and one Nashville contest (Nov. 25). The Panthers were slighted too, but that's understandable because they've been off the NHL's radar screen for quite some time having missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons.

Half of the 14 broadcasts include the new darlings of the Southeast Division, the Capitals, the only team to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season from the division. The real slight involves the Predators. Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2007-08, Nashville is only the second team from the Southeast — to make the Stanley Cup tournament in four seasons in succession. Tampa Bay's streak of four ended pre-Melrose last April. The Caps advanced to the playoffs 14 seasons in a row when they competed in the Patrick and Atlantic divisions from 1982-83 to 1995-96.

Apparently, stability just isn't sexy enough for VERSUS and the other networks that prefer sizzle instead of substance. Of the 14 match-ups, only two are Southeast intra-Division battles (Nov. 10 and March 16). The network improved its broadcasts from year one to year two, but good luck finding the broadcasts when you travel, because most hotels are ADVERSE to carrying VERSUS in the first place.

For me, Center Ice at home and online when I'm on the road is the only way to go. Not only do I get most games I want to watch, but I'm also not subjected to VERSUS' Hockey Central with Bill Patrick, Keith Jones and Brian Engblom between periods and after the game.

VERSUS Schedule Involving Southeast-based teams
Sun. Oct. 5    Tampa Bay vs. NY Rangers     12:00 PM 
Mon. Oct. 13    Vancouver at Washington     7:00 PM 
Mon. Oct. 20    Florida at Montreal     7:30 PM 
Tues. Oct. 28    Philadelphia at Atlanta     7:00 PM 
Mon. Nov. 10    Tampa Bay at Washington     7:00 PM 
Mon. Nov. 24    Washington at Minnesota     8:00 PM 
Tues. Nov. 25    St. Louis at Nashville     7:00 PM 
Tues. Dec. 2    Tampa Bay at Philadelphia     7:00 PM 
Tues. Dec. 16    Washington at NY Islanders     7:00 PM 
Tues. Jan. 20    Washington at Ottawa     7:30 PM 
Tues. Jan. 27    Washington at Boston     7:00 PM 
Tues. March 3    Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay     7:30 PM 
Mon. March 9    NY Rangers at Carolina     7:00 PM 
Mon. March 16    Washington at Atlanta     7:00 PM 

Appearances by team
Washington    7 appearances  
Tampa Bay     4 appearances 
Atlanta    2 appearances 
Carolina    1 appearance 
Florida    1 appearance 
Nashville    1 appearance