After a relatively slow start, the Red Wings/Blackhawks series has finished strong on NBC and NBC Sports Network.
Game 6 of the Blackhawks/Red Wings second round Stanley Cup playoff series drew a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.7 million viewers on NBC Sports Network Wednesday night, the largest audience on record for a second round game on cable (dates back to 1994).
Excluding the Stanley Cup Final, the game also ranks as the most-viewed NHL telecast ever on NBC Sports Network (previously Versus and OLN).
Tuesday’s game scored a 15.99 rating in Detroit, the market’s highest rating ever for an NHL game on NBCSN — including the Red Wings’ four Stanley Cup Final games on the net in 2008 and 2009.
In Chicago, Game 6 scored a 13.45 rating — the market’s third-best ever for an NHL game on NBC Sports Network. Only Game 3 and 4 of the 2010 Blackhawks/Flyers Stanley Cup Final drew higher local ratings.
On Saturday, Game 5 between the Red Wings and Blackhawks scored a 1.6 and 2.9 million viewers on the NBC broadcast network — the most-viewed second round game on broadcast since NBC acquired rights in 2006.
Keep in mind NBC earned well over three million viewers for first round Stanley Cup playoff action last season, including 3.5 million viewers for Bruins/Capitals Game 6.
(This year’s numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
