The playoffs are where legends are made. But if the fans don’t tune in to watch, who’s really witnessing history? The NHL may have a product problem, or worse, a perception problem. Reason? The NHL’s Eastern Conference Final has started off with a thud. Not on the ice, but in America’s living rooms. Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes was the least-watched Conference Final opener since 2021.

It pulled in just 1.296 million viewers on TNT. Game 1’s dismal ratings don’t just reflect a quiet night. They echo a broader silence that the league can’t afford to ignore. For a league banking on postseason firepower, the numbers raise an uncomfortable question: is something broken in hockey’s playoff spectacle?

Braylon Breeze, in his Twitter handle, broke down the trend in a series of revealing tweets. This year’s Florida Panthers–Carolina Hurricanes opener drew a staggering 33% drop compared to the Panthers–Rangers Game 1 in 2024 (1.984M). It’s also down 15.9% from the 2023 Panthers–Hurricanes opener (1.541M).

For context, last year’s Western Conference Final opener between the Oilers and Stars pulled 1.544M. Even the lowest Western opener under the current media deal, Oilers–Stars in 2024, outpaced this year’s East opener.

Where did the Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes viewers go?

The numbers beg deeper analysis. Are NHL fans growing fatigued with certain matchups? Or is it the network presentation that’s missing the mark?

Over the course of the same media deal, the viewership trend for the Eastern Conference Final openers has shown a steep decline. In 2022, Lightning–Rangers drew 2.363 million viewers. The following year, Florida Panthers–Carolina Hurricanes dropped to 1.541 million, then recovered slightly in 2024 with 1.984 million for Panthers–Rangers. However, 2025 saw a sharp downturn again as Panthers–Hurricanes pulled only 1.296 million. The lowest yet, highlighting a 45% drop from the 2022 peak.

That’s a 45% dip in three years. From a marquee Rangers matchup to a Hurricanes series that seems to struggle to retain attention. Could it be fatigue with Carolina as a playoff fixture? Is the Florida Panthers’ underdog appeal losing steam?

Some insiders believe the issue goes beyond franchises. The coverage itself, presentation formats, and even the start times may be playing a role in deterring fans. Others suggest the narrative drama or lack thereof, is failing to convert casual viewers into invested ones.

Game 2 becomes not just a battle on the ice but a test of traction. If the NHL can’t turn this trend around mid-series, it may be looking at a postseason viewership crisis. With Gretzky absent from the TNT panel and Eastern Final engagement trailing, the league might need more than just good hockey to win back its playoff crowd. Stay tuned for Game 2 coverage and deeper dives into the NHL’s viewership puzzle.