Stanley Cup Playoffs: Caps/Bruins Game 7 Sets Ratings Record in Boston, Near-Record in D.C.

The final game of the Capitals/Bruins Stanley Cup playoff series attracted record ratings in Boston and near-record numbers in Washington.

Game 7 of the Capitals/Bruins Stanley Cup playoff series earned a 19.6 rating on NESN in the Boston market Wednesday night, the highest rating ever for a Bruins telecast on the network. The previous high was a 17.7 for Canadiens/Bruins Game 7 last year.

The 19.6 rating ranks as the sixth-highest ever for any event on NESN, which also televises Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball games.

In Washington, D.C., Wednesday’s game drew an 8.01 rating on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the network’s second-highest rating ever for a Capitals game in the market. The only game to earn better numbers was Canadiens/Capitals Game 7 in 2010 (8.10).

The CSN Mid-Atlantic telecast did set a record in the Baltimore market, earning a 3.72 rating.

Overall, coverage of the Capitals/Bruins series averaged a 13.6 rating on NESN in Boston, a 5.90 on CSN Mid-Atlantic in Washington, and a 2.80 on CSN Mid-Atlantic in Baltimore — all records. The RSNs aired only four of the seven games of the series, with NBC televising the remaining three.

(Wednesday’s numbers from NESN.com, Comcast press release via Fang’s Bites)