NHL returns to strong TV ratings

The NHL returned to action Saturday afternoon and the fans returned with it.

NBC announced Sunday that its regional telecasts Saturday afternoon delivered a 2.0 overnight rating, giving the network its highest rating for an NHL regular-season game since it posted a 2.4 mark for the 2012 Bridgestone/NHL Winter Classic. The rating was the highest overnight mark for any regular-season game other than a Winter Classic in 11 years.

Saturday's regional broadcast of Flyers and Penguins was particularly strong in the home markets, registering a 7.8 rating in Philadelphia and a 19.4 mark in Pittsburgh.

NBC's coverage of the NHL's opening weekend continued with a national broadcast of the Flyers' visit to Buffalo Sunday afternoon, and will also feature Chicago's visit to Phoenix Sunday night on NBC Sports Network.