A solid lead-in from The Preakness Stakes was not enough to save overnight ratings for Sharks/Blues.

Game 4 of the Sharks/Blues NHL Western Conference final had a 1.7 overnight rating on NBC Saturday night, down 23% from Ducks/Blackhawks last year (2.2). The double-digit decline came despite a direct lead-in from the Preakness, which had a 6.2 overnight. Last year’s game had no such lead-in.

The 1.7 overnight is tied as NBC’s fourth-lowest for a primetime NHL game, and its second-lowest for a primetime game during the playoffs (dates back to 2006). Of NBC’s five primetime games this year, three rank among its seven-lowest rated since acquiring rights.

Head-to-head, the Sharks’ blowout win trailed the Cavaliers/Raptors NBA conference final game on ESPN (4.2), matched NASCAR’s All-Star Race on Fox Sports 1, and edged MLB on FOX (1.6).

On Sunday, Game 5 of Lightning/Penguins scored a 1.5 overnight on NBCSN — up 15% from Lightning/Rangers last year (1.3).



(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)