The 2016 Stanley Cup Final matched Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins up against the San Jose Sharks, becoming the most watched non-Original Six series in 15 years, according to NBC Sports PR.
The Penguins returned to championship status, taking the series in six games thanks to a road win Sunday in San Jose against a Sharks team that had made its first franchise appearance in the final.
As per NBC Sports PR, the six-game series averaged 3.948 million viewers, making it the most watched Stanley Cup Final without an Original Six team since 2001, when the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils.
Viewership was up 31 per cent from the 2012 final, which was the last time two non-Original Six teams -- the L.A. Kings and the Devils -- battled for the Stanley Cup.
Game 6 averaged 5.407 million viewers, peaked w 6.9 million, & expected to win the night in P18-49 demo among broadcast networks w 1.9
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2016
This series also drew increased ratings in Pittsburgh, where anticipation for another championship had been growing before fans eventually got to celebrate the team’s second Stanley Cup title in eight years.
SCFinal avgd 31.7 HH rating in Pit on NBC/NBCSN, up 5% from 2008 Final (30.1) & up 10% vs 2009 through 6 (28.7; series went to 7)
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2016
Top 5 markets for 6-game #StanleyCupFinal: Pittsburgh 31.7; SF/SJ/Oak 7.0; Buffalo 5.8; Min-St. Paul 4.2; Denver 4.1
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2016