The "attendance drop" that hit the NHL's Canadian teamsafter the lockout "has persisted into the playoffs," according toan analysis in today's Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. Attendance for theFlames' 1st-round game against the Sharks at the Saddledome drewonly 15,624, with Tuesday's Game 2 drawing 16,389. Capacity is20,230. In Quebec, the Nordiques have drawn 14,360 and 14,178 -- more than 1,000 seats below the 15,399 capacity. Nordiquesofficials blame a late schedule change and the local broadcast ofthe game. Nordiques Dir of Media Relations Jean Martineau: "Wework with individual season-ticket subscribers rather thancompanies. So when a home game is on TV, it really hurts us"(Shoalts and Campbell, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/11).
| NHL PLAYOFF ATTENDANCE |
| TEAM | GAME 1 | GAME 2 | CAPACITY | % CAPACITY |
| Flames | 15,624 | 16,389 | 20,230 | 79.1 |
| Penguins | 15,910 | 15,079 | 17,181 | 90.1 |
| Nordiques | 14,360 | 14,178 | 15,399 | 92.7 |
| Blackhawks | 19,042 | 19,017 | 20,500 | 92.8 |
| Blues | 18,788 | 18,876 | 19,260 | 97.8 |
| Bruins | 14,448 | 14,448 | 14,448 | 100 |
| Flyers | 17,380 | 17,380 | 17,380 | 100 |
| Red Wings | 19,875 | 19,875 | 19,275 | 103.1 |
