The NHL playoffs are supposed to be the most exciting time of the hockey season, but this year, fans are far from hyped. In fact, many are frustrated and vocal about why they’re losing interest.From outdated blackout rules to ESPN’s questionable coverage choices, and the absence of hockey’s biggest stars, there’s a lot making fans rethink tuning in. Let’s break down what’s behind the NHL playoff viewership drop and why fans are so annoyed on social media.
The absence of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and others hurts ratings
Playoff hockey usually gets casual fans glued to the TV when big names like Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin are on the ice. But this season? Those superstars are out, and fans notice. Without the star power driving attention, the playoffs just don’t feel as thrilling for many viewers. One fan pointed out how teams with the most-watched players simply aren’t in this year’s mix, which explains part of the ratings slump.Another major complaint? ESPN’s NHL coverage. Fans say ESPN treats hockey like an afterthought compared to basketball and football. Names like Stephen A. Smith and Mike Greenberg get called out for barely understanding hockey or giving it any real airtime. The tipping point came when ESPN put a pickleball match on their main channel instead of an important NHL playoff game. For hockey fans, that decision felt like a slap in the face.On top of everything, some of the teams making the playoffs this year are from smaller markets that don’t have a huge fan base outside their region. That means even die-hard hockey lovers outside those cities might not care much about the games, leading to lower national TV ratings.If you’re a hockey fan, chances are you’ve been hit by the dreaded “blackout in your area” message while trying to watch your favorite team. These blackout rules, designed to protect local TV rights, often stop fans from watching their team live, even if they pay for cable or streaming services. Fans are fed up and some have said straight-up they won’t watch the playoffs until this gets fixed. The frustration is real because it makes following the games way harder and kills the excitement.Also read – Did Auston Matthews say he might leave? Leafs stars spotted golfing after Game 7 loss sparks fan reaction
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