After a grueling 82 game regular season NHL hockey players embark on a quest for the ultimate prize, The Stanley Cup.  Players must endure four best of 7 series to win the Stanley Cup, a grueling challenge. (NHL.com)

The NHL’s biggest superstars were on display last night in Washington D.C.

Newsy.com looks at perspectives about the sport -- Is it the best team sport in North America? Are people watching the playoffs? We’ll look at that… but first…

NHL.com brings us highlights of Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins going up against rival Alexander Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals in an epic best of 7 series, with Pittsburgh winning game 7. (NHL.com)

The Guardian takes the view that although these superstars grabbed the spotlight, hockey is purely a team game -- in fact one of the best…

“Anyone not watching these play-offs is missing the best team sport in North America. And the phrase "team sport" is integral.” (The Guardian)

So as the Guardian calls the best team sport in North America… The Sporting News brings us this perspective on the success -- it says even amidst an economic downturn, Nielsen Ratings and ticket sales are through the roof, capturing the number 2 spot on prime time cable networks last night.

“Television viewership increased compared with the playoffs in 2008.  In the U.S. NBC averaged 17 percent more viewers, and in Canada TSN averaged 567,000 viewers, a 42 percent increase.” (The Sporting News)

But USA Today differs with that view - believing that by broadcasting all of their games on versus, the NHL is actually hurting their ratings and questions if people are watching.

“Versus, which outbid ESPN for the NHL, is in about 75 million households. ESPN is in 98 million. Compared to ESPN's last NHL season — 2003-04 — Versus' household average for playoff games is down about 35%” (USA Today)

And the Stanley Cup Playoffs are far from over.  Tonight features two winner take all Game 7’s.  

Will you be watching the games on versus?  What do you think about the Stanley Cup Playoffs?  Is it the best team game?