The NBC family of networks couldn’t be happier with the performance of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. The 2019 playoffs are the most watched cable coverage of the event on record. The second round is the most watched second round on record period.
Several major markets were missing from the postseason this year, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the league or NBCSN one bit. Of course, it is easier to stomach the absence of the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Chicago Blackhawks when so many local markets of the teams that did make the playoffs have set local ratings records of their own. According to a press release, Raleigh (Carolina), Denver (Colorado), Columbus, Dallas, St. Louis and San Jose have all seen more people than ever tuning into the NHL postseason this year.
NBC Sports is averaging a total audience delivery of 1.073 million for every game played so far across NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, and CNBC on television and NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app online.
Even without the Sabres in the playoffs, Buffalo is still the NHL’s most reliable TV market. Playoff games have averaged a 2.74 rating there. The remaining top 10 markets for the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs are as follows:
| Rank | Market | Rating |
| 1 | Buffalo | 2.74 |
| 2 | Boston | 2.38 |
| 3 | St. Louis | 2.23 |
| 4 | Providence | 2.04 |
| 5 | Columbus, Ohio | 1.97 |
| 6 | Denver | 1.87 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh | 1.65 |
| 8 | Minneapolis-St. Paul | 1.39 |
| 9 | Raleigh | 1.30 |
| 10 | Las Vegas | 1.14 |
