In an exhilarating Game 7 showdown between two of the NHL's iconic teams, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, hockey enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling contest that became the most-watched first round playoff game in 12 years.

According to television ratings, Saturday's Maple Leafs-Bruins game garnered a 1.6 rating and was watched by an impressive 3.24 million viewers on ABC. This marked the largest audience for a first round NHL matchup since the Bruins-Capitals Game 6 in 2012, which attracted 3.52 million viewers on NBC.

The Bruins' victory in this pivotal game surpassed the previous record set by their defeat to the Panthers in a Game 7 on TNT last year, which drew an audience of 3.10 million viewers. In fact, only two first round games in history, the Bruins-Capitals match in 2012 and a regional broadcast on ABC in 1993, have garnered more viewers, with 3.32 million and 3.10 million respectively.

Despite Canadian teams not always generating high TV ratings, the Maple Leafs' storied history, prominent status, and prolonged playoff struggles make them comparable to the iconic Dallas Cowboys in the NHL. This factor, coupled with the intensity of Game 7, contributed to its success as the top primetime show on broadcast television on Saturday, surpassing competing programs such as Major League Baseball on FOX.

It's worth noting that the Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 viewership fell just below that of the competing NBA game between the Timberwolves and Nuggets, which was aired on TNT and attracted an audience of 4.9 million. Additionally, the other Game 7 matchup between the Golden Knights and Stars garnered a rating of 1.0 and was watched by 1.99 million viewers across TNT and truTV, a slight decrease compared to last year's game between the Kraken and Avalanche.

As we await the full averages for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's evident that the Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 delivered a remarkable viewership, capturing the excitement and passion of hockey fans across the nation. In other NHL action, the Hurricanes-Rangers Game 1 in the second round attracted a significant audience of 1.99 million on ESPN, making it the most-watched second round opener on cable in at least 20 years and the highest-rated game across all networks in three years. NBC also exceeded the two million viewer mark for the Islanders-Bruins Game 1 in 2021.