TNT Sports Achieves Record Viewership for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round

TNT Sports had an incredible run with the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round this year, wrapping it up with a thrilling Game 7 showdown between Montreal and Tampa Bay on May 3. The game drew in a whopping 2.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched First Round game on cable to ever feature a Canadian team. The excitement peaked at 3.2 million viewers at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Overall, TNT Sports’ coverage of the entire First Round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs across TNT, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max averaged 1.2 million viewers. This marked a 68% increase compared to last season and was the best start for the NHL playoffs since TNT took on the hockey rights back in 2021.

Throughout the First Round, TNT Sports achieved several historical milestones, including having the two most-watched Game 1s on TNT Sports (Kings/Avalanche with 1.3 million viewers; Lightning/Canadiens with 1.4 million viewers) and the most-watched Game 3 (Penguins/Flyers with 1.6 million viewers). Additionally, Game 4 between the Stars and Wild became the most-watched Game 4 on cable, drawing in 1.9 million viewers.

As the action moves into the Second Round, TNT Sports continues to deliver impressive viewership numbers. Sunday’s game between the Wild and Avalanche saw an average of 2.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched Second Round Game 1 on cable in history.

Looking ahead, Second Round coverage will continue on Wednesday, May 6, with Game 1 of Montreal against Buffalo at 7 p.m., followed by Game 2 of Anaheim versus Vegas at 9:30 p.m. The NHL on TNT Face Off Powered by Verizon pregame coverage, featuring host Liam McHugh and analysts Henrik Lundqvist, Anson Carter, and Paul Bissonnette, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Get ready for more exciting hockey action on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max!