NHL Local Ratings Box Score
• The Washington Capitals‘ ratings are up 140% compared to a year ago, thanks in part to reigning NHL MVP, Alex Ovechkin, continuing his great play and leading the Caps to first place in the Southeast division.
• The Chicago Blackhawks are televising all of their regular season home games for the first time, and viewers are responding to their exciting young team with a 71% boost in average ratings from last season.
• Not only are the San Jose Sharks on top of their division, they also have an impressive 50% increase over last season’s ratings in the SF-SJ-OAK Market..
• While economic conditions may be slowing Colorado Avalanche attendance, it may be helping the ratings: The Avs’ viewership is up 36% in Denver.
• The New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, who skate in the nation’s two largest markets, are also outperforming last season, both with 33% increases in local viewership.

Read coverage of Nielsen’s findings in The Washington Post, the Washington Business Journal and The Mercury News (Silicon Valley).