The Columbus Blue Jackets: ratings darlings.
You knew that thousands of people across the United States would be tuning in for Game 1 against the Boston Bruins, right? It's hard to pass up the opportunity to watch the juggernaut that took down the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
We're kidding. Kind of.
NBC released its overnight numbers for Blue Jackets vs. Bruins on Thursday night, and you could say the ratings are a pleasant surprise to just about everyone.
With a 1.22 overnight rating, @BlueJacketsNHL @NHLBruins OT game produced highest overnight for a game on the opening night of Second Round in 5 years (2014, Montreal/Boston, 1.43, 2OT) and was up 15% vs. Pit-Was last year (1.06)
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) April 26, 2019
An overnight of 1.22 is no joke, especially when you consider how it out-performed one of the more attractive rivalries in the NHL (Penguins vs. Capitals). The Blue Jackets have the attention of the hockey world after their upset win in Round 1, and playing a marquee opponent – and one of the now-favorites to win the Stanley Cup – certainly doesn't help the exposure.
They'll be in the spotlight again for Game 2, playing a primetime game (8 p.m. ET) on the main NBC network. Big stage for these upstart Blue Jackets once again.
