With the Pittsburgh Penguins v. Detroit Redwings being touted as a “dream” match up, will the ratings for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, which begin today, break their recent trend of precipitous ratings decline since 2002?
Full Data for NHL Stanley Cup Finals Ratings, 1995-2007
| Year | Viewers (million) | Network | Teams |
| 1995 | 5.21 | FOX | New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings |
| 1996 | 5.09 | FOX | Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers |
| 1997 | 6.37 | FOX | Detroit Red Wings vs. Philadelphia Flyers |
| 1998 | 4.83 | FOX | Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals |
| 1999 | 4.87 | FOX | Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres |
| 2000 | 5.51 | ABC | New Jersey Devils vs. Dallas Stars |
| 2001 | 5.06 | ABC | Colorado Avalanche vs. New Jersey Devils |
| 2002 | 5.77 | ABC | Detroit Red Wings vs. Carolina Hurricanes |
| 2003 | 3.63 | *ABC/ESPN | New Jersey Devils vs. Anaheim Ducks |
| 2004 | 3.29 | *ABC/ESPN | Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames |
| 2005 | Strike, no season | ||
| 2006 | 2.83 | **NBC/OLN | Carolina vs, Edmonton |
| 2007 | 1.76 | NBC/VS | Ottawa vs. Anaheim |
*ABC had 5 telecasts & ESPN had 2 telecasts so this is the combined average of both networks.
**NBC had 5 telecasts & OLN had 2 telecasts so this is the combined average of both networks.
Data for 2006 & 2007 is Live+SD, all previous years is Live viewing.
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2002 was Detroit vs. Carolina, not Atlanta.
Eric, I am always correctable! Thanks.