Blue Jackets see massive increase in local television ratings

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on their way to a third playoff appearance in franchise history in a season that featured their remarkable 16-game winning streak. It’s no wonder then that fans have tuned in to enjoy the ride.

According to Sports Business Journal, local television ratings for Blue Jackets games are up an NHL-best 110 percent this season. One. Hundred. Ten. To put that in perspective, the next highest increase for a team is the New Jersey Devils, who have seen a 58 percent increase since 2015-16.

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The 16th and final win of the Blue Jackets’ streak garnered a 5 household rating, per Fox Sports Ohio, which was the best number since a 4.6, which came in 2009 when Columbus clinched a playoff berth against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Here’s what SBJ found, which used the ratings for 21 U.S.-based teams, minus the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators, whose numbers were not available.

Five of the bottom six teams — Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders – finished last season as the league’s bottom five in ratings. Also interesting to see the Chicago Blackhawks take a dip (down 20 percent) while still remaining in in the overall top five. Good to see Minnesota Wild fans tuning in for what’s been a great first year with Bruce Boudreau behind the bench.

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Overall regional ratings for the NHL, according to SBJ, were down 7 percent through last weekend’s NHL All-Star Game.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy