The Bruins ratings on NESN have plummeted 19 percent from last season, according to the Sports Business Journal. Only three other teams in the NHL have experienced bigger drops this year, Arizona (23 percent), the New York Islanders (24 percent), and the St. Louis Blues (25 percent).
The plunge is somewhat of a surprise, considering that the Bruins are still in the playoff hunt, and would actually qualify for the postseason if the season were to end today.
The good news for the Bruins is they are still fifth in the league with a 3.43 average rating this season. That's out of 21 teams, because information on Carolina and Nashville was not available, as well as the league's seven Canadian teams.
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The Buffalo Sabres have seen the biggest surge, up 55 percent to lead the league with a 6.81 average. The buzz surrounding Jack Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick in last summer's NHL Draft, appears to be the driving force. Eichel attended Boston University last year, where he led the Terriers to the national championship game.
Eichel won the Hobey Baker Award last season, and brought some much-needed star power to Buffalo this year.