Remember last year at this time, when Game 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference final between Buffalo and Ottawa went into overtime, and NBC left its coverage before the OT started so it could begin its Preakness Stakes broadcast?

The same scenario could happen again Saturday if Game 5 of the Western Conference final between Dallas and Detroit goes OT. This time, NBC won’t be so quick to get out of the broadcast.

Adam Freifeld, director of communications for NBC Sports, told me late this afternoon that NBC will cover the first overtime, should the game get that far, of course. If it is still tied after the first OT, the coverage will shift to Versus so that NBC can get the Preakness broadcast going. The game will also be available on NBCSports.com and NHL.com.

The game will start at 1:30 p.m., and be seen in the Capital Region on WNYT (Ch. 13) and WNYT HD.