McGuire’s presentation probably works as well as it does because of Emrick, who delivers his own brand of witty analysis. Emrick appreciates McGuire’s contributions.

“It was a master stroke,” Emrick said of adding a voice at ice level. “You’d be lost now if it was just the standard of 20 years ago, when it was two broadcasters up top and none down. I can’t imagine doing a game without Pierre.”

And there’s a built-in bonus that Emrick, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, finds invaluable.

“Pierre will notice a player coming off hurt, and he’s able to ask about that,” Emrick said. “It’s the kind of thing he can do down there that we can’t do up top. Between periods, he can also float in the hallway, where he can ask questions.”

McGuire, who traveled more than 65,000 miles in the postseason last spring, revs up as April approaches, he said. During his 70-game regular-season schedule, he works Sunday afternoon games and “Rivalry Night” contests on Wednesdays. But the fun starts in earnest in the playoffs.

“There’s no time for down time,” said McGuire, who traveled from Tampa, Fla., to San Jose, Calif., to Washington, D.C., for games on successive days during last season’s playoffs. “You’ve got to bring it every night. The hits, the emotion and the energy down on the ice — it’s off the charts. I’m just trying my best to bring that to the people at home.”