from John Ourand & Ian Thomas of SportsBusiness Journal,

The Buffalo Sabres are poised to knock the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the NHL’s local TV ratings lead for the first time in seven seasons.

Through early February, nearly two-thirds of the way through the season, Sabres games on MSG are averaging a 6.81 rating, up 55 percent from last year. That comes despite Buffalo having an on-ice record that’s one of the worst in the Eastern Conference.

But new to the team this year is Jack Eichel, the second overall pick in last year’s NHL draft. Eichel’s addition, paired with other aggressive player acquisitions in the last year, have Sabres fans tuning in again.

The team’s TV ratings fell last season along with the Sabres’ on-ice fortunes. As recently as two seasons ago, Buffalo ranked second leaguewide for local ratings, averaging a 5.56 mark for the 2013-14 season.

continued, more teams mentioned...