NHL on NBC pregame shows are just the best

The NHL is back this Saturday. With the Los Angeles Kings raising their banner before taking on the Chicago Blackhawks and the Battle of Pennsylvania renewing in Philadelphia between the Flyers and Penguins, it should be a great day for the league and its television partner, NBC.

Surely they have an elaborate pre-game show dissecting the new season, right?

Well, no. It's better than that! It's all dependent on where you are in the United States, but here in Washington D.C. we're getting the best-of-the-best pregame coverage. An informercial for Battle Hair Loss! No word on if Pierre McGuire's involved.

I asked some SB Nation colleagues from around the country what they're seeing.

* In Houston, GIF-master Clay Wendler has an informercial for AAA.

* In Seattle, senior editor Brian Floyd has one called 'Quick and Easy Meals!'

* In Los Angeles, assignment editor Eric Stephen is learning how to get professional in-home microdermabrasion with NuBrilliance.

* In New York City, assignment editor Russ Oates has had skin problems lately (unconfirmed report) so it's perfectly convenient that NBC's teaching him about Derm Exclusive anti-aging skin care.

Yay, hockey's back!