For the third time this decade, it looks like Boston is going to be locked into a Stanley Cup run as the weather heats up. There is no better way to spend a balmy late-spring evening than sitting inside watching men skate on ice.
The Bruins' 4-2 Game 1 victory over the Blues at the Garden Monday drew a 25.2 Nielsen TV rating in our fair city, per NBC Sports PR. That is right on line with Game 1 of Bruins-Canucks in 2011, which garnered a 25.5 number in Boston.
Bruins-Blackhawks amassed a 28.1 TV rating in Boston for their Game 1 in 2013, but that was also a triple overtime thriller. Chicago wound up winning the contest.
Interestingly enough, the St. Louis market finished ahead of Boston in the ratings, with the Blues drawing a 29 in their home market Monday. Nationally, the Bruins and Blues delivered a 3.67 cable rating, which was flat with last year's Washington-Vegas matchup.
Across all sports, series typically pick up viewers as they progress. Given all of the reaction to Torey Krug's flying helmet-less hit, and testy play, there is lots of anticipation for Game 2 Wednesday. The ratings should only increase from here, assuming the series remains captivating.
