• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 5, 2025

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

The more continental nature of the NHL’s footprint will again be fully reflected with a repeat engagement in the Stanley Cup Final. 

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The matchup for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is now set and will likely represent a mixed bag for the NHL.

The Oilers clinched a second-straight Western Conference title Thursday night, closing out the Stars in five games. Joined with the defending NHL champion Panthers’ earlier victory of the Eastern Conference title, the Stanley Cup Final will be the first back-to-back engagement since the Penguins–Red Wings in 2008 and 2009.

In the U.S., ratings are almost certain to decline due to the NHL’s rotating media rights between Disney, which combines coverage on broadcast network ABC and cable outlet ESPN, and the cable and streaming-only presentation on Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, truTV, and Max. This will be a WBD year, meaning that the event will once again not have an over-the-air component in the U.S.

In 2023, the last such year for WBD and the Stanley Cup Final, viewership fell 43% compared to the prior year. Series length, a particularly critical element in hockey viewership, also likely played a factor as the Golden Knights’ five-game win over the Panthers that year was one shorter than the Avalanche’s six-game triumph over the Lightning in 2022

Along similar lines, the deciding seventh game last year between the Panthers and Oilers garnered an average U.S. audience of 7.7 million viewers, the largest for any NHL game in five years

In Canada, meanwhile, the dynamics are rather different. The lack of a second competing team from the U.S. and a corresponding local-market bump in Nielsen measurement are likely to be reflected in heightened Canadian viewership on Sportsnet, CBC, and the French-language TVA Sports. 

Last year, Sportsnet drew a network-record average of 7.55 million viewers for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers, with a broader reach figure of 15 million representing 39% of the entire Canadian population. In this year’s playoffs, Sportsnet posted a 16% boost in viewership through the second round to an average of 2.2 million viewers. 

The Oilers, for their part, are trying to keep their emotions in check amid a run of sustained excellence that nonetheless has ended in earlier playoff exits in 2022 and 2023, and the seven-game Stanley Cup Final disappointment last year. Game 1 will start Wednesday in Edmonton, with the Oilers a very slight favorite in early betting odds. 

“I think we’re better for going through last year,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “It’s a great learning experience and it’s really driven us all year. This run has felt different than last year. It’s felt very normal. … I don’t want to say boring because it’s not boring at all. It hasn’t been as emotional.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
Sep 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars forward Adam Erne (76) looks on during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center
exclusive

Dallas Stars Eyeing Possible Move to Plano in 2031

The team needs to figure out where they’ll play starting in 2031.

ESPN’s Ben McDonald Stays on Padres-Cubs Call Despite NHL Flap

ESPN sticks with McDonald after his viral hockey “zero chance” jab.

Elimination Day: MLB’s Dramatic Wild-Card Tripleheader Hits ESPN

A day of drama ends with Red Sox–Yankees in prime time.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.
Sep 18, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) reacts as the Fever defeat the Atlanta Dream during game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
September 19, 2025

Fever Upset of Dream Brings Ratings Boost to WNBA Semis

The Indiana Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
September 17, 2025

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.