The Pittsburgh Penguins finished off the New York Rangers far too quickly for the NHL and its television partners.
After Game 4 of the series was the highest rated, most viewed NHL telecast ever on Versus, the deciding Game 5 between the teams became the most viewed non-Stanley Cup Final playoff game in five years.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports NBC drew 2.3 million viewers for the Penguins’ overtime victory over the Rangers, the second most viewed game of the season, behind only the Winter Classic on January 1. The last time an NHL Playoff telecast drew more viewers was May 10, 2003, when Mighty Ducks/Wild Game 1 drew 2.4 million viewers on ABC.
NBC is averaging a 0.9 rating for its Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, even with last year.
