Not that I'm a computer expert, but a possibility on the poor connection:
I always try to minimize my computer's effort. For example, when I watch the game, I don't surf the web/play games/anything extra that might bog my computer down. The more your computer has to think, the patchier the connection seems to get for me.
Anyways, that's just a shot in the dark and a potential possibility. For what it's worth, I live in Duluth and had zero problems with the connection last night, or any hockey game this year so far.