Second round produces record ratings

The NBC Sports Group's coverage of the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs have averaged 1.06 million viewers, making the Conference Quarterfinals and Conference Semifinals the most-watched first two rounds on record (since 1994, when cable program data started).

On NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC, this year's Conference Semifinals averaged 1.32 million viewers, making them the most-watched Conference Semifinals on record. More than 39 million total viewers have watched this postseason on NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC, up 23 percent from last year.

According to Fast National data released by The Nielsen Company, this year's Conference Semifinals:

-- Averaged 1.29 million viewers on the NBC Sports Network, up 43 percent from last year and the best on record for a single cable network.

-- Averaged 1.32 million viewers across NBC, the NBC Sports Network and CNBC, up 28 percent from last year and the best on record.

Saturday night's Game 7 between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals was watched by 1.68 million viewers on the NBC Sports Network, making it the second most-watched Conference Semifinal game on cable this year. Game 3 of the series -- which was won by the Rangers in triple overtime -- was watched by 1.85 million viewers, making it the most-watched Conference Semifinal game of 2012. The NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 network overall in both markets during the game.

In New York, Saturday's Game 7 received a 4.8 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network. The telecast was up 129 percent from 2008's two-game average. In Washington, the game received a 7.67 HH rating, the second-highest local rating ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network. The telecast was up 19 percent from the market's 2011 Semifinal average.

Sunday night's Western Conference Final Game 1 between the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes delivered record ratings for both local markets. The NBC Sports Network was the highest-rated cable network in both local markets during the telecast of the game.

In Los Angeles, Game 1 received a 2.14 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network. In Phoenix, it received a 5.56 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network.