Bruins-Penguins Hits Season Low on Sunday

Against college basketball’s final day of the regular season, the NHL on NBC faltered.

The network’s broadcast of the Boston Bruins vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a season low 0.8 overnight rating according to Sports Business Daily (reg. required), the lowest number for a game on the network since March 20, 2011 (NYR/PIT: 0.7). The game was beaten by both a college basketball pre-game show (1.0) and the Atlantic 10 championship game (1.4) on CBS.

Bruins/Penguins was down 23% from last year’s comparable game (3/13/11, CHI/WSH: 0.9) and 30% from two years ago (3/14/10, WSH/CHI: 1.0). For more numbers, check The Hockey Ratings Database.

The network will look to rebound next Sunday against March Madness, but with a matchup (Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh) that drew VERSUS’ highest ratings last season, and potentially armed with a returning Sidney Crosby, so we’ll see.

NHL On NBC Overnights This Season
November 25 – Detroit vs. Boston: 1.0
January 1 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 2.4
January 14 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 1.1
January 22 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 12 – Washington vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
February 19 – Regional Coverage (SJ/DET, PIT/BUF, STL/CHI): 1.4
February 19 – Boston vs. Minnesota: 1.0
March 4 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 11 – Boston vs. Pittsburgh: 0.8
Average: 1.1

NHL On NBC Overnights For 2010-11 Season
January 1 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 2.8
January 23 – Philadelphia vs. Chicago: 1.1
February 6 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
February 13 – Boston vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 20 – Regional Coverage (PHI/NYR, WSH/BUF, DET/MIN): 1.2
February 20 – Pittsburgh vs. Chicago*: 1.2
March 6 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
March 13 – Chicago vs. Washington: 0.9
March 20 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 0.7
April 3 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
April 10 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.1
Season Average: 1.1