Canada is loyal to its seven defective NHL franchises.

Ken Campbell of the Hockey News reports that Sportsnet and CBC - which share exclusive rights to broadcast the NHL in Canada - have seen a cratering 61 percent viewership decline through five nights of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Campbell noted that there were nearly 800,000 more viewers last year, when the playoffs featured five Canadian teams and a pair of all-Canadian matchups.

It's the first time in 46 years that the tournament was devoid of Canadian entries.

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