Sportsnet says first round of NHL playoffs averages 1.3 million viewers

TORONTO – The first round of the NHL playoffs attracted an average of 1.3 million viewers to Sportsnet and CBC.

Sportsnet says the five series featuring Canadian teams drew an average audience of 1.8 million.

According to numbers from Numeris, 22.2 million Canadians tuned in to the first round at some point.

The most-watched game of Round 1 was Game 2 of the Maple Leafs’ series against the Capitals, which delivered an average audience of 3.64 million viewers.

The numbers are up significantly from last year when no Canadian teams made the post-season. Through the first five days of the 2016 playoffs, Rogers averaged just over half a million viewers.

Of the five Canadian teams to make this post-season, two have advanced to the second round. The Edmonton Oilers begin their Western Conference semifinal against Anaheim on Wednesday while the Ottawa Senators start their Eastern Conference semi Thursday.