According to a press release by NBC, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final registered the best overnight rating for a Game 2 on record.
The 4.1 overnight rating and 7 share for the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Game 2 is higher than all other Stanley Cup Final Game 2’s since 1975.
NHL overnight data prior to 1975 is unavailable.
Game 2 posted a 21-percent increase over last year’s Game 2 (3.4) between the then-defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins, featuring Sidney Crosby.
Monday’s game peaked at a 4.7/8 in the final half-hour. Chicago led all markets with a 25.1 rating and 39 share. Philadelphia followed with an 18.5 rating and 28 share.
The two-game average overnight rating for Games 1 and 2 is a 3.5, the best two-game average overnight rating for the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final in 11 years (3.8 on Fox in 1999, Buffalo vs. Dallas,) and up 17 percent over last year (3.0).
