Ratings and viewership for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final were the highest since the late 1990s.

Game 1 of the Blackhawks/Lightning Stanley Cup Final earned a 3.3 final rating and 5.5 million viewers on NBC Wednesday night, up 10% in ratings and 16% in viewership from Rangers/Kings last year (3.0, 4.8M) but down 15% and 13%, respectively, from Bruins/Blackhawks in 2013 (3.9, 6.4M).

The Blackhawks’ win earned the second-highest rating for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final since Sabres/Stars in 1999 (3.4), trailing only Bruins/Blackhawks in 2013. It also earned the second-largest audience for the opening game since Red Wings/Flyers in 1997 (6.4M), again trailing 2013.

The 3.3 rating is also tied as the sixth-highest for a non-clinching Stanley Cup Final game on NBC since the network resumed airing games in 2006.

Game 1 earned a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49, matching last year and down 24% from 2013 (2.5). It was television’s top program of the night in the demo, finishing comfortably ahead of second-place Masterchef on FOX (1.5).



(Wed. numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box, with additional info from TV By the Numbers)