The second round of the NHL playoffs got off to a slow start opposite the NFL Draft.
Game 1 of the Capitals/Rangers Stanley Cup playoff series drew 1.1 million viewers on NBCSN Thursday night, down 42% from Canadiens/Bruins Game 1 last year (1.9M) and down 31% from Rangers/Bruins Game 1 in 2013 (1.6M).
Keep in mind the Capitals’ last-second win aired directly opposite the first round of the NFL Draft. Compared to Bruins/Canadiens Game 4 opposite the draft last year, viewership still dropped 26% from 1.5 million.
Later in the night, Game 1 of the Flames/Ducks series drew just 479,000 viewers — down 41% from Sharks/Kings Game 2 on the comparable night in 2013 (805K). There was no comparable window last year.
(Thu. numbers from Sports TV Ratings)
