The thrilling match-ups of this season's Stanley Cup play-offs have driven the best first-round viewership in 10 years, reports the National Hockey League, with its NHL.com setting a record for
monthly traffic.
The NHL says goal scoring was up significantly, with the most since 1996, and 12 overtime wins -- the most since 2001 -- also fueling the excitement.
On cable's
Versus, this was the most-watched first-round in nine years, with especially strong ratings among men 18 to 49. And NBC has scored its best hockey ratings in four years, with hockey viewership up
18%.--Sarah Mahoney