from the CP at CTV,

With the rare prospect of an all-American NHL post-season looming large, Gary Bettman hopes Canadians still tune in to watch the battle for the Stanley Cup.

The NHL commissioner acknowledged in an interview that there is a sense of uncertainty regarding TV ratings in Canada, with no Canadian teams likely to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1970.

Still, he was hopeful that fans north of the border would tune in regardless.

Bettman said local teams "tend to draw better" in terms of ratings.

"But as long as the hockey is entertaining and exciting and competitive we're hoping and expecting that fans will tune in and watch great hockey," he added.

The four worst teams in the NHL are Canadian, as are six of the bottom 10. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers currently have the fewest points in the league, just behind the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.

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