NBC, NHL encouraged about ratings heading into Cup Final

The television ratings for this year's Stanley Cup playoffs have been steady despite many top markets not having teams qualify and finalists from the past two years eliminated in the first round.

Going into the start of Monday's final between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins, television ratings for all games across NBC Sports Group are slightly down from last year but up 4% from 2017. An average of 1.174 million viewers have tuned in per game, which is fifth most since 1994.

Cable ratings are up 4%, with an average of 1.004 million viewers, which is the third highest since 1996.

The second round, which had two seven-game series in the West, was the most watched on record, averaging 1.621 million viewers on NBC's broadcast and digital platforms according to Nielsen, NBC and Adobe Analytics. All but Boston and New York set local ratings records of the teams that were still competing in the conference semifinals.

The television numbers were at record numbers through the first two rounds, but took a hit because the Eastern Conference finals between Boston and Carolina went only four games. Due to the Bruins sweep, there wasn't a Game 5 that aired after the Preakness Stakes.

"With the absence of larger media markets, we are still doing record numbers or close to it. That is the point that makes it even more significant," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

"The quality of play and unpredictability of the playoffs have made them entertaining. That has drawn fans to continue to be engaged."

Buffalo, which has traditionally been a strong hockey TV market, was the top-ranked market through the first two rounds despite the Sabres not making the postseason for the eighth straight season. Pittsburgh was seventh even though the Penguins were swept in the first round and...