After NBCSN skated to record national ratings with its National Hockey League opening night doubleheader on Wednesday, a number of Fox Sports regional networks jumped over the boards before strong audiences of their own on Thursday.
The Red Wings started their season with 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Oct. 9, as FS Detroit netted a 5.6 rating in the Motor City environs, 32% greater than their 2013 opener’s 4.2 mark.
On Sun Sports, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers pulled a 1.8 DMA mark, up 10% from last year.
The Columbus Blue Jackets took the measure of the Buffalo Sabres by a 3-1 count, with Fox Sports Ohio ringing up a 1.38 DMA rating, a 25% gain from a year ago and 86% above the club’s last season.
For their part, the Nashville Predatorsbeat the Ottawa Senators 3-2, registering a 300% lift to a 1.2 rating on Fox Sports Tennessee.
Conversely, two Fox RSN clubs wound up the wrong end of the score sheet, but still generated Nielsen advances.
Although they lost a 3-2 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks in an overtime shootout, the Dallas Stars scored a 1.52 household rating in Big D, a 149% leap from the team’s 2013-14 season-starter.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues, despite their 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, scored their highet-rated opener ever on Fox Sports Midwest, with a 6.4 household ratings, up 32% from last year's 4.9.
