Monumental Sports Network set a new regular-season viewership record during Friday night’s Washington Capitals game against the Chicago Blackhawks as Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all time goal record, the network announced Monday.
Notably, the surge in viewership came as Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored two goals, tying the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. According to Monumental, the broadcast was the most-watched regular-season Capitals telecast on the network since at least the start of the 2022-23 season.
“We are immensely grateful to our passionate Capitals fans for their unwavering support throughout the GR8 CHASE—your enthusiasm fuels our commitment to deliver the best coverage possible,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Moreover, the network significantly outperformed major national broadcasters in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets during the game where Ovechkin tied the record. Specifically, among viewers ages 25 to 54, Monumental’s broadcast beat ESPN by 53%, ABC by 328%, CBS by 360%, and NBC by 288%, the network said.
Furthermore, Friday’s game eclipsed the network’s previous regular-season high, which was set during last season’s playoff-clinching matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. The latest broadcast drew 4% more viewers and attracted an audience more than triple the average for Capitals games during the 2024-25 season—up 201% among adults 25 to 54.
In fact, viewership peaked between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. ET, as a record number of fans tuned in during the final minutes of the game, according to Nielsen Media Research. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, P2+ and P25-54 demos. DC & Baltimore DMAs. Data based on games aired on MNMT/MNMT2 from Sept. 25, 2022, through April 4, 2025.)
“Our team at Monumental Sports Network has worked tirelessly to keep our fans connected to this once-in-a-lifetime event and bring Alex’s historic milestones to life.,” noted Leonsis. “Together, we look forward to witnessing even more unforgettable moments as we continue to cheer on the Capitals as they take aim toward the Stanley Cup.”
Beyond Friday’s milestone, overall local TV ratings for Capitals games have continued to climb this season. Through 72 games, viewership is up 39% year-over-year in the D.C. and Baltimore markets.
Additionally, Monumental reports that interest in Capitals coverage extends beyond game time. In particular, pre- and postgame programming has seen notable gains as well—rising 28% and 53% respectively compared to last season.
In terms of streaming, Friday’s game also registered the most unique viewers of any game since at least the start of the 2022-23 season. Overall, streaming activity on the Monumental+ app for Capitals games has never been higher. Through the first 72 games of this season, unique streaming viewers for Capitals games have increased 97% year-over-year.
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