The opening weekend of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was less of a draw on NBC.
Game 3 of the Predators/Blackhawks Stanley Cup playoff series drew a 1.6 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, down 11% from Red Wings/Bruins last year (1.8) but up a tick from Blackhawks/Wild in 2013 (1.5).
Despite the decline, the 1.6 overnight is tied as the fifth-highest for an opening round Stanley Cup playoff game on NBC. Including Penguins/Rangers the previous night (1.7), three of the network’s five highest opening weekend overnights took place this year.
The other games did not fare as well. Capitals/Islanders Game 3 drew a 1.2 overnight earlier Sunday, down 25% from Rangers/Flyers last year (1.6) and down 14% from Penguins/Islanders in 2013 (1.4).
On Saturday, regional action featuring Red Wings/Lightning Game 2 in 54% of markets drew a 1.1 overnight on NBC — down 31% from Blackhawks/Blues last year (1.6) and down a tick from Rangers/Capitals in 2013 (1.2). Combined with reverse mirror coverage on NBCSN, the window drew a 1.3 overnight.
(Wknd. numbers from Sports Business Daily, ShowBuzz Daily)
