Not surprisingly, Monday’s Game 6 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final suffered a sizable decline compared to last year’s 36-year high.
The sixth game of the Canucks/Bruins series earned a 3.9 overnight rating on NBC Monday night, down 33% from last year (CHI/PHI G6: 5.8), and down 5% from 2009 (DET/PIT G6: 4.1).
Last year’s Game 6 aired on a Wednesday night and was the highest rated NHL game in the metered markets since 1974. Game 6 in 2009 aired on a Tuesday night opposite the NBA Finals.
The 3.9 overnight is the lowest for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final since 2006 (CAR/EDM G6: 2.2), the last time a Canadian team played in a Game 6.
That said, the overnight is the highest for any Stanley Cup Final telecast involving a Canadian team since 2006 (EDM/CAR G7: 4.1), and the third-highest since 2000 (25 telecasts).
Game 6 drew a 33.3 rating in Boston, up 29% from Game 5 (25.8). By comparison, Game 6 of last year’s Lakers/Celtics NBA Finals drew a 22.3 rating. Keep in mind last year’s NBA Finals game was a blowout loss for the Celtics, while this year’s Stanley Cup Final game was a blowout win for the Bruins.
Final ratings and viewership were not immediately available for Friday’s Game 5.
(This year’s overnight from Puck the Media; local numbers from Puck the Media)
