Playoff hockey is a different animal altogether with that being said the expectation is the viewership of playoff games goes through the roof, but that hasn't been the case of the last couple of years. That changed through the first two rounds of this year for very reason and it has to do with Canadian teams being involved late into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that's the only difference between this year and years past; take a look
According to the Hockey News, the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs is the most watched in history through the first two rounds. The viewership is up 12% from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs across networks that carry the games. With the majority then it works being in the US. The only difference is the four Canadian teams that started in the first round and the all Canadian matchup in the second round between the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
Whether it continues, remains to be seen, but if the first two rounds were indication, the NHL will not have any problem, drawing viewership during the conference finals and during the Stanley Cup final as well.
