NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t need to pick a side in tonight’s do-or-die Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. After all, history says that Bettman and the NHL have already won – at least when it comes to TV viewers.
The Nielsen Company looked back at the four Stanley Cup Finals match-ups that have gone the full seven games since 2000 and in each case, Game 7 was a ratings windfall. For example, games one through six of the 2006 finals between Edmonton and Carolina averaged 2.4 million viewers. Game …

Viewership levels for the NHL playoffs are up compared to last year on both Versus and NBC, a trend that may continue with a Stanley Cup Finals featuring two hockey crazed cities, Detroit and Pittsburgh, and one of the NHL’s brightest stars, the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby.
 

But just as important as the raw viewership for the NHL and Versus, which is available in 66% of US homes, is the brand behavior of these viewers.
With advertising dollars tight in the current economic climate, the pressure is even greater for sports leagues to demonstrate return …

The NHL’s Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars will rendezvous in Montreal this weekend, commemorating the 100th year of Les Habs, the Montreal Canadiens franchise.
US TV Ratings for last year’s All-Star Game on VERSUS were up 17%, proving the NHL’s decision to move the game the first Sunday sans NFL in 5 months a wise one.
Viewership for the Skills Competition and Young Stars Game, airing on Saturday Night, was also up 26% compared to 2007.
This season, the NHL on VERSUS is up an impressive 17%, continuing hockey’s ratings renaissance.

Season
# …

Analysis of local ratings for the start of the NHL season shows 12 U.S. teams with double-digit percentage increases in viewership compared to the same time period a year ago. The Buffalo Sabres remain the highest-rated NHL team with an 8.9 average household rating in their market –and boast a 14% increase in viewership from 2007 as well.  The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the number two slot, with a 5.7 local rating, a 21% increase over last season.
NHL Local Ratings Box Score
• The Washington Capitals‘ ratings are up 140% compared …