Spring is coming to an end and some of the best live sports are going on the air. The MLB regular season is in full effect, and both the NBA and the NHL have gone into the postseason, but with so many options what’s the best thing to watch? The answer is simple, and it lies in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NHL has never been the most popular when compared against the other big national sports like the NFL and the NBA. Come playoff time however, viewership numbers surge, with this year’s numbers averaging about 1.2 million. Specifically, numbers have increased by 40% year over year on ESPN.
But there are some notable reasons on why to watch hockey instead of other sports this time of year. Regardless of viewership numbers, the NHL has been more entertaining and less predictable than the NBA playoffs.
This year, the NBA has had some clear leaders around the league with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs dominating all year, and so far showing little struggle in the playoffs. In the NHL, it’s anyone’s game. There’s been tighter games and more overtime in hockey than in basketball this time around, with league standings not really showing a lot of influence in the games in general.
The underdogs get their shot, and actually do tend to get the upset win frequently. A recent example from the 2026 playoffs is the first-round matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers. Few analysts had the Ducks winning against the offense heavy Oilers. They came out on top in game six winning the series 4-2 in a high-scoring set of games.
The stakes are sometimes higher too. The momentum swings during the games feel much more cinematic. In a game where one goal slapped to the back of the net can make a difference, it tends to be more entertaining than watching a team having to comeback from double-digit points, or getting blown out by 50. Even the overtime situation feels more intense. The sudden death overtime goal keeps fans on the edge of their seat, waiting for something to happen.
Another thing worth mentioning is the sheer physicality and skill of playoff hockey. Picture skating at high speeds, advancing rapidly with the puck, trying to score with someone constantly trying to slam you into a wall. It’s the best against the best, and its content new and longtime sports fans just can’t miss.
Now an argument can be made about how other sports carry more star power than the NHL. In sports, certain players have the ability to draw in more viewers. Sometimes sports fans tune in just to see a certain athlete play regardless of team, which is a feature the NHL might be lacking when compared to the likes of the NBA and NFL.
Hockey remains an underrated sport, but it continues to grow every year in popularity. If there’s something it does right though, it’s turning up in the playoffs. For real sports fans, it’s must-see TV.
