Game 7 between Maple Leafs and Bruins draws a record number of viewers

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TJ Tucker
May 8, 2024 (12:05)

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People in North America tuned in in record numbers to game 7 between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The outcome may not have been favourable with fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the NHL must be loving it. Game 7 of round 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Leafs and Boston Bruins drew in record viewers in Canada and the United States. If you count them all together, it is the most-watched first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs game in NHL history.

According to SportsMediaWatch.com, game 7 between the Leafs and Bruins drew in the most NHL viewers in the US in 12 years.

"Saturday's Maple Leafs-Bruins first round Stanley Cup playoff Game 7 averaged a 1.6 rating and 3.24 million viewers on ABC, marking the largest first round NHL audience in 12 years � since Bruins-Capitals Game 6 on NBC in 2012 (3.52M). The Bruins' win topped the previous high of 3.10 million set by their upset loss to the Panthers in a Game 7 on TNT last year (3.10M).

In Canada, the numbers were even better as game 7 between Toronto and Boston is now the most watched NHL game on Sportsnet ever in the network's history.

"Canada loves playoff hockey! 🇨🇦 🏒

After Round 1, the 2024 #StanleyCup Playoffs on
@Sportsnet have already reached 51% of the Canadian population, with average audiences up 10% vs. last year. 👀

Leafs vs. Bruins Game 7 was the most-watched hockey game ever on Sportsnet! 📈"

According to the league itself, the final Bruins-Maple Leafs game of round 1 was the most-watched first-round NHL game ever.

"Across North America (CBC/SN/TVA Sports/ABC), the Toronto/Boston Game 7 delivered 8.823MM viewers making it the most watched First Round game across North America on record and second most non-Stanley Cup Final game across North America on record.

It will be interesting to see if viewers in Canada will watch the all-Canadian second-round matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks in similar numbers. It marks the first time the two teams have met in the postseason since 1992. That series gets underway Wednesday night.