Stanley Cup Final Drawing Best Three-Game Average Since 2002

Through 3 games, the 2010 Stanley Cup Final are doing better than the successful 2009 Final.

The three telecasts, with Games 1 & 2 airing on broadcast NBC, and Game 3 airing on cable’s VERSUS, have averaged a 2.5 national rating, up 4% from the 2.4 the first three games drew last year, with the same network scheduling arrangement.  The 2.5 is up 36% from 2008, 64% from 2006, and a whopping 87% from 2007, when the arrangement was swapped, and Games 1 & 2 aired on VERSUS/OLN and Game 3 aired on NBC.

The average is the highest since the 2.7 drawn by the Detroit/Carolina series in 2002, which aired its’ first two games on ESPN and the third on ABC.  The 2.5 therefore makes it the second highest rated three-game average since 1999’s Buffalo/Dallas series, which aired its’ Game 1 & 2 on broadcast FOX, and Game 3 on ESPN.

Stanley Cup Final Averages Through Game #3 Since 1999
(NOTE: From 2000-2008, Games 1-2 aired on cable, in 1999, 2009 and 2010, they aired on broadcast)

2010 – 2.5
2009 – 2.4
2008 – 1.6
2007 – 0.6
2006 – 0.9
2004 – 1.1
2003 – 1.4*
2002 – 2.7
2001 – 2.1
2000 – 1.8
1999 – 3.0

* – Game #2 of the Stanley Cup Final’s national rating is unavailable, so we’re using the 1.1 cable rating the game drew.