• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 16, 2011

Hockey coverage will meld both the NBC network and Versus on Sunday, serving as an example of the potential synergies between newly combined assets under Comcast, both on the programming and promotion front. Comcast has created a programming unit that includes NBC Sports, along with Comcast's Versus and regional sports networks.

NBC Universal said nine hours of hockey will begin with a pre-game, magazine-style show on NBC. It is followed by a doubleheader on NBC, then an outdoor Heritage Classic game on Versus. Regional Comcast SportsNet channels in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia will also play a role with their announcers appearing.

The NBC Sports Group's hockey streak will be promoted across 20 NBCU channels and on 40-plus of its Web sites. Comcast's NBCU has formed an NBCUniversal Marketing Council to marshal company assets behind select initiatives.

NBC's "Today" and "Nightly News" will also feature stories about hockey in America this week.

Sunday's coverage will carry a "Hockey Day in America" moniker, with McDonald's as a sponsor. NBC will offer three regional games, followed by a national game at 3:30 -- all available live on NBCSports.com.

Outdoor games garner considerable attention, and the Versus match-up will have Montreal playing Calgary in an Alberta stadium.