Despite Alex Ovechkin and Brad Marchand in spotlight, NHL faces major scoring drop and viewership crash in 2024-25
The 2024-25
NHL
season delivered big moments from Alex Ovechkin's chase for Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record to Brad Marchand's dramatic shift to the Florida Panthers after 16 years with the Boston Bruins.
Yet, while stars were shining, the league's deeper numbers told a more troubling story.
2024-25 NHL season sees significant decline in goal scoring
For a league that has worked hard to move past the low-scoring 'Dead Puck Era,' the latest stats raise alarms. Only 7,978 goals were scored league-wide this season—down from 8,168 in 2024 and 8,343 in 2023. Powerplay opportunities also dropped sharply, with 816 fewer powerplays than in 2024 and nearly 1,000 fewer than in 2023. Naturally, this has impacted scoring, especially in 5-on-5 situations where goals have noticeably dipped.
The number of elite point producers also declined. In 2023, 11 players hit the 100-point mark; in 2025, only six reached that milestone. The 90+ point club also shrunk from 19 players in 2023 to just 12 this past season. These numbers suggest a significant drop in offensive output across the league.
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How back-to-back games and fewer penalties are hurting NHL scoring
One major factor cited by analysts like Jason Gregor is the performance of teams in the second half of back-to-back games.
Western Conference teams had just a .401 win percentage in those situations, compared to .434 for Eastern Conference clubs. Seattle Kraken stood out, losing all 12 of their second-half back-to-back matchups.
Less rest, more travel, and fewer penalties being called may have all contributed to slower play and lower scoring. The lack of enforcement on infractions has arguably taken away many of the powerplay chances that fuel goal production.
FAQs
Why did NHL scoring drop in the 2024-25 season?
NHL scoring declined due to a combination of factors, including fewer powerplay opportunities, tired teams in back-to-back games, and less aggressive officiating. These changes reduced high-scoring chances and affected overall offensive output.
Which teams were most affected by the scoring slump?
Teams like the Seattle Kraken struggled significantly, especially in the second game of back-to-backs. Only 11 teams finished with a .500 or better record in those matchups, showing a league-wide trend of fatigue and lower scoring.
How bad was the NHL's viewership decline in 2024-25?
TV ratings dropped noticeably, even for marquee matchups. A key example was the Capitals vs. Hurricanes game in April, which averaged just 186,000 viewers despite Alex Ovechkin's historic chase.
NHL suffers significant TV viewership decline during 2024-25 season
Perhaps even more concerning than the on-ice stats is the dip in fan engagement. Major markets like Chicago and New York saw local TV ratings fall, despite strong narratives like Ovechkin's historic pursuit. A much-anticipated Washington vs.
Carolina game in April drew just 186,000 average viewers on TNT and truTV—well below expectations for a high-profile matchup.
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There were some bright spots—teams like the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks saw improved viewership—but overall, the league struggled to keep fans watching. As the NHL looks ahead to 2025-26, addressing these concerns will be critical to maintaining momentum both on the ice and in the stands.
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