Avs and Oilers do massive TV ratings to start Western Conference Finals

The Avalanche and Oilers are must-see TV.

And it’s not just folks here in Denver starved for another Stanley Cup that feel that way.

In a series with a ton of offensive firepower and loads of stars, people around the country and in Canada watched Game 1 with eager eyes. The ratings from TNT are in, and they’re up big from last year and the last couple of decades.

Huge ratings for #Avs-Oilers Game 1 on @NHL_On_TNT pic.twitter.com/ANvBq2RkeV

— Adrian Dater (@adater) June 2, 2022

A few thoughts on this. First, it’s worth noting that Colorado also played in the 1999 Western Conference Finals. The Avs are always going to draw a big audience, so it’s no coincidence the ratings are better with them on the ice.

Second, it’s amazing what going from NBCSN to TNT / ESPN will do for a league. The NHL made that switch this season and is already benefitting in a big way. Clearly people know TNT for their basketball coverage and ESPN because it is the worldwide leader. The new TV deal is a big boost for the league.

Finally, it’s good to have traditional matchups back and a non-COVID year on the tube. Montreal isn’t a Western Conference team even though they played Vegas in the finals last year. Canadian cities also couldn’t have fans, so that killed the vibe for the average person tuning in. It’s easier to watch more when the venue is juiced up and the atmosphere matches the product on the ice.

As the graphic above says, Game 2 between the Avalanche and Oilers is tonight on TNT at 6:00 p.m. MT. We’ll see if another 1.8 million people tune in.
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