The excitement of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is at an all-time high, with fans treated to thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments on the ice. However, as the action intensifies, controversy has erupted off the rink, casting a shadow over the broadcast experience for many viewers.

This year, TNT’s coverage of the playoffs has come under fire from passionate hockey fans, who have taken to social media to voice their frustration over a critical decision made by the network. Instead of sending their announcers to the arenas to capture the electrifying atmosphere firsthand, TNT opted for remote commentary, a move that has not gone unnoticed. The difference in energy and authenticity has been glaring, especially when compared to other broadcasters who deliver the game’s emotion directly from the stands.

As the criticism mounts, the debate over what fans deserve during the most important part of the NHL season is heating up. With the playoffs in full swing and every game carrying immense weight, the spotlight is now on TNT to respond to the backlash and consider how their coverage choices impact the viewing experience for hockey fans everywhere.

Photo credit: Sporting News

Thus far, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been fantastic, but unfortunately, TNT have been called out for one poor decision made on their coverage.

Outside of the 3-0 lead that the Toronto Maple Leafs have on the Ottawa Senators, every matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year has been tight, with six of the other seven matchups currently sitting at 2-1, with the Vegas Golden Knights tying their series against Minnesota at 2-2 on Saturday.

What that means is that fans should be thrilled about the way things are going, especially with a weekend packed full of action, but unfortunately, for those that watch TNT, a major gripe has arisen.

On social media, fans have called out TNT for having their announcers call games remotely, and while that may not appear to be a huge difference, a post on social media has shown just how much the difference can be for the fans watching at home.

While Jack Michaels is simply at another level for Sportsnet, with the in-person call of the game, fans feel as if they are there, getting all of the atmosphere combined with the intensity of the announcers, as opposed to TNT, who were clearly too cheap to send announcers to the game, resulting in subpar coverage.

As mentioned above, this is a bad look for the commentators, but it’s nothing they can help, as their employers have made the decision, and as a result, the TNT announcers look poor in comparison.

At this time of year, fans should be getting the best possible coverage, and unfortunately for many, TNT simply aren’t doing that, so hopefully with the backlash all over social media, they change their practices moving forward.