While the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is underway, the NHL must still be beaming about its first round success.
Several NHL markets drew strong ratings during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including major markets New York, Chicago and Boston. In Boston, the Bruins’ first round series against the Canadiens averaged a 9.2 on NESN, the highest average ever for a Bruins’ playoff series on the net.
In New York, the Rangers’ victory over the Capitals produced MSG Network’s three highest rated Rangers telecasts in 12 years, including a 3.02 rating for Game 7.
Meanwhile, the Devils saw their own ratings success, as Games 3 and 7 of their series against the Hurricanes averaged a 1.64 rating, tied as the team’s highest rating since 2001. Overall, the Devils/Hurricanes series averaged a 1.36 in N.Y., the highest average for a Devils first round playoff series in 12 years.
In Chicago, the Blackhawks’ six-game victory over the Flames averaged a 4.52 rating on CSN Chicago, up 134% from the last time the team made the playoffs. The clinching Game 6 of the series drew an all-time record rating for a Blackhawks game on CSN Chicago.
Ratings even increased for teams that had a very quick stay in the postseason. The Blues’ season-ending Game 4 loss to the Canucks drew a 9.3 in St. Louis, the highest rating for a Blues telecast since ’02. In Ohio, the four games of the Blue Jackets/Red Wings series were four of the six highest rated Blue Jackets games ever on FS Ohio.
Not all the news was good. In Washington, the Capitals’ series victory over the Rangers averaged a 2.94 on Comcast SportsNet (5 games), down 17% from a 3.5 average for their loss to the Flyers in ’08. Game 7 drew a 4.0 on CSN, down 29% from a 5.6 for Flyers/Capitals Game 7 last year.
