Stanley Cup Final begins as NHL ratings reach historic levels

The Stanley Cup Final featuring the Golden Knights and Hurricanes starts Tuesday, drawing attention as NHL viewership continues to rise. Hockey playoffs have recorded significant audience numbers, with the first round averaging 1.8 million viewers, up 68% from 2025. The Golden Knights' conference finals averaged 2.2 million viewers, marking a 44% increase from last year. The forthcoming match draws interest for its all-U.S. matchup and the fact ABC will handle the broadcast, increasing potential viewership. This is the first Stanley Cup Final since enhanced Nielsen metrics were introduced, which could further impact ratings.

• 6:28 PMYahoo Sports — NHL Ratings Near Record Levels—and Now All-U.S. Stanley Cup Final Is Here