The NHL cellar-dwelling Avalanche has seen a 57 percent drop in television ratings on Altitude, according to SportsBusiness Journal. The publication collected ratings information for 21 U.S.-based teams and said information for the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators and the seven Canadian teams was not available.

Among 12 teams with ratings declines, Colorado — which is on pace to finish with the fewest points in its 21-year history — had the biggest drop. The Avs’ .75 average rating, however, is not among the bottom six. The perennial playoff-contending Anaheim Ducks on Prime Ticket has a .21 average rating, worst among the 21 teams included in the study and had a 46 percent decrease.

The other teams with the weakest rankings were the Florida Panthers (.27), New York Islanders (.29), Arizona Coyotes (.40), Dallas Stars (.41) and New Jersey Devils at (.41). Related Articles February 8, 2017 It looked awful, but Avalanche winger Matt Nieto isn’t seriously injured

February 8, 2017 Sidney Crosby hits Denver in search of 1,000th career point

October 12, 2016 Avs Mailbag Form: Submit questions here

The teams with the best ratings are the Buffalo Sabres (6.43), Pittsburgh Penguins (5.56), St. Louis Blues (4.26), Minnesota Wild (3.91) and the Chicago Blackhawks at (3.12).

SBJ said nine teams saw their ratings increase from last season, “led by the Columbus Blue Jackets, whose ratings are up 110 percent after the team reeled off 16 straight victories earlier this season. While the New Jersey Devils have struggled, their acquisition of star winger Taylor Hall has boosted their ratings 58 percent.”