The opening weekend of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs was the most-watched on record on US cable, shattering previous records.
The opening weekend of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was the most-watched on record on US cable, with an average audience of 1.53 million viewers on ESPN and TNT networks. [@NHLPR] pic.twitter.com/23fmDmfxNZ
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— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 22, 2026
This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs have had some exciting storylines that have helped increase viewership. The Utah Mammoth are playing in their first-ever NHL Playoffs as a franchise. The Buffalo Sabres are playing in the playoffs for the first time in over 15 years.
Rivalries are also getting fans’ attention. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins are battling it out, with the Flyers taking a 2-0 series lead in the battle of Pennsylvania. The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are tied 1-1 in their rematch from the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.
There have also been an abundance of overtime games so far. Four games have gone to OT, including a double overtime game between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Playoffs continue tonight with three games in action. The Flyers and Penguins, and Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are all battling it out Game 3. The Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks will be playing in Game 2 following the Oilers miraculous third period comeback in Game 1.
