Penguins' James Neal is Latest Player to be Featured on "NHL 36"

NEW YORK (Feb. 24, 2012) – The National Hockey League (NHL®) and NHL Original Productions announced today that Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal will be the next player profiled on the all-access series “NHL 36.” NHL Original Productions cameras will join Neal tomorrow morning and follow him for the next 36 hours as he and the Penguins host afternoon games on consecutive days -- Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 p.m. ET, NHL Network US) and Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Neal joined the Penguins just before last year’s Trade Deadline and scored only one goal in 20 regular-season games. With 22 games remaining in the 2011-12 campaign, he has 30 goals and 57 points and has established career highs in both categories. Earlier this week, Neal signed a six-season, $30-million contract.

NHL 36: James Neal will air Wednesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m., Eastern, on NBC Sports Network. Later that evening, NBC Sports Network will air the Penguins’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NHL 36: James Neal will re-air on the NBC Sports Network on the following dates (all times Eastern): Wednesday, Mar. 7 (10:30 p.m.); Thursday, Mar. 8 (4 p.m.); Friday, Mar. 9 (3 p.m.); Sunday, Mar. 11 (2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) and Monday, Mar. 12 (8 p.m.). The show also will air in the United States and Canada on NHL Network™ on Sunday, Mar. 11 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.); Wednesday, Mar. 14 (8:30 p.m.); Saturday, Mar. 17 (5 p.m.) and Sunday, Mar. 18 (9 p.m.).

NHL Original Productions is the latest collaboration between the NHL and renowned executive producer Ross Greenburg – an alliance that produced two critically acclaimed programs on HBO: Broad Street Bullies and the Emmy Award-winning 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic®. Throughout the year, NHL Original Productions will develop 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.