The NHL’s playoff momentum is turning into a major media success story in the United States. Both ESPN and TNT Sports delivered record-breaking second-round viewership numbers, signaling a sharp rise in audience interest across the league’s current broadcast cycle.
ESPN averaged 2.2 million viewers during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking a 76% increase compared to 2025 and the strongest second-round performance since the network regained NHL rights five years ago. The biggest moment came during Montreal Canadiens’ dramatic Game 7 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres, which attracted an average audience of 3 million viewers — the highest-rated game of the postseason so far.
TNT Sports also posted historic numbers. The broadcaster averaged 1.9 million viewers per game in the second round, up 33% year-over-year and its best NHL second-round audience since entering the league’s media rights package in 2021. Including the first round, TNT is averaging 1.3 million viewers throughout the playoffs, representing a 51% annual increase.
One of the most notable growth trends came from female audiences. TNT Sports reported that NHL playoff viewership among women aged two and older rose by 66% through the second round, highlighting the league’s expanding demographic reach.
The NHL’s ratings surge reflects a broader trend across sports media this spring. Major properties including the NBA, MLB and the Kentucky Derby have all experienced strong audience gains in recent weeks, reinforcing the continued power of live sports in the media landscape.
The momentum now shifts to the Conference Finals. ESPN will broadcast the Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, while TNT Sports carries the Eastern Conference Final featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.