Stanley Cup Finals TV Ratings: Game 3 Sees More Low Numbers

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals saw double-digit drops from Game 3 last year, but still produced decent numbers for cable.

Game 3 between the Kings and Devils scored 1.74 million viewers, down 37 percent from last year's Game 3 between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins (2.76 million). It was the second most-watched game of the postseason, as the triple-overtime Game 3 in the second-round series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals drew 1.85 million.

Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup finals on NBC both drew 2.9 million. The drop in numbers from broadcast to cable is roughly on par with what higher-rated Stanley Cup finals have seen when moving from NBC to Versus in the past.

The game drew a 4.9 rating in Los Angeles, dropping slightly from Game 2 (5.5) but drawing much better than Game 1 (4.2) which was on NBC broadcast. This is the highest rating NBCSN has ever drawn in LA, and the network was #1 on all of television Monday night during the time period, which is no slouch considering it went face-to-face with hoops and an early Dodgers game. In New York, the game drew a 3.0, a big drop from Game 1's 5.1. Jersey lost the faith fairly quick. NBCSN was #2 on cable (TNT's NBA coverage was #1) in New York for the night.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBCSN remain up 13% from last year, averaging 1.0 million viewers.

Game 4 will again be broadcast on NBC Sports Network, meaning the Stanley Cup could be won on cable for the first time since 1998.

Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3 Ratings on Cable

New Jersey vs. Los Angeles, 2012, NBCSN: 1.74 million
Vancouver vs. Boston, 2011, Versus : 2.76 million
Chicago vs. Philadelphia, 2010, Versus : 3.60 million
Detroit vs. Pittsburgh, 2009, Versus: 2.95 million

Most-Watched Games of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBC Sports Network

• 1. New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, Game 3 (May 2, 2012): 1.85 million
• 2. Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 7 (May 12, 2012): 1.68 million
• 3. Philadelphia vs. New Jersey, Game 3 (May 3, 2012): 1.66 million
• T-4. Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 5 (May 7, 2012): 1.65 million
• T-4. NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 6 (May 9, 2012): 1.65 million
• 6. Philadelphia vs. New Jersey, Game 4 (May 6, 2012): 1.63 million
• 7. NY Rangers vs. New Jersey, Game 6 (May 25, 2012): 1.60 million
• 8. Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 2 (April 30, 2012): 1.53 million
• 9. New Jersey vs. NY Rangers, Game 5 (May 23, 2012): 1.43 million
• 10. New Jersey vs. NY Rangers, Game 2 (May 16, 2012): 1.34 million
• 11. Washington vs. Boston, Game 7 (April 25, 2012): 1.32 million
• 12. New Jersey vs. Philadelphia, Game 5 (May 8, 2012): 1.31 million
• 13. New Jersey vs. Philadelphia, Game 2 (May 1, 2012): 1.29 million
• 14. New Jersey vs. NY Rangers, Game 1 (May 14, 2012): 1.28 million
• 15. NY Rangers vs. New Jersey, Game 4 (May 21, 2012): 1.26 million
• 16. Los Angeles Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes, Game 5 (May 22, 2012): 1.21 million