Game 7 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks was a huge success in terms of ratings. The overnight rating for Game 7 of the Western Conference Final earned the highest overnight rating of any non-Stanley Cup Final game in NBC history. The broadcast brought in an overnight rating of 3.27 and saw some huge numbers in the cities of Chicago and Los Angeles.
Despite the fact that the Blackhawks won with relative ease, the game still beat out the ratings for last year’s Game 7 OT thriller between the Kings and Blackhawks which earned a 3.17 on NBCSN. Obviously the fact this year’s Game 7 was on NBC helps, but the boost in ratings is notable.
Locally, Game 7 brought in big numbers. Chicago posted a 26.6 rating which is the highest ever for a non-Stanley Cup Final Blackhawks game. In Los Angeles, the numbers weren’t quite as impressive at a 3.9, but it was the highest ever for a non-Stanley Cup Final Ducks game.
NBC was likely hoping for a Blackhawks-Rangers Stanley Cup Final from a ratings perspective, but they still should see big numbers for the upcoming Blackhawks-Lightning series.