Knights must-see TV for NBCSN

The Golden Knights were ratings platinum in their inaugural season.

NBCSN’S national television schedule, revealed Monday, indicates the network believes the fascination with the defending Western Conference champions will continue.

Nine Knights games are featured on the national TV schedule this season, including the season-opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 4 at T-mobile Arena.

The Knights will appear on “Wednesday Night Hockey” five times as part of the network’s plan to replace its traditional rivalry night format with a more diverse lineup. The coverage of 17 doubleheaders will include an on-site desk to capture the atmosphere similar to ESPN’S “College Gameday.”

The first of the Knights’ Wednesday night appearances will be a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 10.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets will also be featured multiple times on the Wednesday night broadcasts.

A record 109 games will air on the network this season, not including the All-star Game in San Jose on Jan. 26. That event will air on NBC, marking the first time it has aired on a broadcast network in prime time in more than two decades.

The Chicago Blackhawks are scheduled to appear on national TV an astonishing 19 times, including a Nov. 27 home game against the Knights.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @ Adamhilllvrj on Twitter.