NHL Playoffs Achieve Record Ratings, Mark Best Final Since 2019

The NHL is riding a wave of success, building on its best regular-season ratings in 14 years with record-breaking viewership during the playoffs. According to Sports Business Journal, this postseason saw an average of 1.8 million viewers tuning in for NHL playoff games, surpassing the previous record of 1.56 million set back in 1996.

ESPN reported impressive numbers, with 2.2 million viewers across 43 playoff games, reflecting a staggering 127 percent increase in viewership across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 compared to the previous season. While TNT averaged slightly fewer viewers, it still celebrated its highest playoff viewership, with an average of 1.4 million.

Fans who engaged with the playoffs early were treated to thrilling matchups, as at least eight series stretched to six games or more in the first three rounds. Notably, two of those series reached the full seven games, with the Montreal Canadiens playing a pivotal role in both.

As the playoffs progressed, the stage was set for a highly anticipated Stanley Cup Final featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights. This matchup captivated hockey enthusiasts, leading to an average of 5.2 million viewers for the Final—the highest figure for a championship series since 2019, when the St. Louis Blues faced off against the Boston Bruins. That series averaged 5.5 million viewers, according to SBJ.

The Final delivered excitement, concluding in a six-game series. Despite Golden Knights coach John Tortorella’s bold prediction that the series would extend to a seventh game, his team fell short, losing in Game 6. Following the conclusion of the series, it was announced that Tortorella would not return to coach the team next season.

Part of the NHL’s viewership surge can be attributed to a new ratings-measurement system implemented by Nielsen, which has contributed to increased ratings across various sports, including spikes for Major League Baseball and the NFL in 2026. The NBA also reported strong viewership numbers during its Finals, reflecting a broader trend of rising interest in sports viewership.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.