CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 10: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates after scoring a goal in the third period against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Four of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on June 10, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

While NBA Finals ratings are the more eye-popping numbers, NBC still has to be very happy with how the Stanley Cup Final between the Lightning and Blackhawks are turning out.  With the series poised to go at least six games, and probably seven, Lightning-Blackhawks should end up being one of the most watched Stanley Cup Final series for NBC.

Last night’s Game 4 delivered very good numbers for NBC, drawing a 2.93 overnight, up a skosh from Game 3 and also up from last year when it was a potential series clincher for Kings-Rangers.  Chicago, Tampa, and perennial hockey hotbed Buffalo led the way in the local markets.

Even more impressive?  The series is the second most-watched through four games in the last 18 years, averaging 4.9 million viewers.  It trails only the Blackhawks’ most recent SCF appearance against the Bruins in 2013 in that regard.  And with close, exciting games all decided by one goal and a high quality of hockey being played, viewership for this series should only increase.

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