NHL Playoff TV Ratings In U.S. Down From Last Year, While NBA’s Early Postseason Games Showing Increase Over 2024
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Reporter
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Some of the National Hockey League playoff games have been absolutely mesmerizing.
Consider the wild ending to the Los Angeles Kings-Edmonton Oilers game in LA in Game 1 that featured a remarkable late-game comeback by the Oilers and a dramatic final minute game-winner by the Kings. There was also an intense Dallas Stars overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche the sane night Monday in an opening round series that could easily be a conference final matchup.
There’s also star power, like new NHL goal-scoring king Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals who batted in the winning OT goal against an upstart Montreal Canadiens captained by former Golden Knights draftee Nick Suzuki.
But there’s only one problem.
And it’s a major one in a sports world dominated by media rights deals.
Playoff game viewership is down 27 percent from 2024’s Stanley Cup Playoffs’ numbers, averaging 718,000 viewers in the U.S. through Monday, according to published reports.
Here in Las Vegas, eyes are riveted on the Golden Knights, which are tied, 1-1, with the Minnesota Wild in their first round series. Game 3 is in Minnesota Thursday.
Meanwhile, the NBA crowed about its opening weekend of the playoffs as an average 4.4 million viewers watched the eight games, the most-watched opening weekend in 25 years, according to the NBA.
While the NHL postseason ratings early returns showed a decrease from 2024, the NBA enjoyed a 17 percent increase over the 2024 opening weekend playoffs.
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