Why Hockey isn't as Popular as The NFL

I am a big NFL fan myself. There are several reasons as to why I enjoy putting on the games and zoning out every Sunday for hours. I think most would agree the main reasons for watching the sport are the physical aspects, the rivalries, the showmanship of the players, and the skill and athleticism it takes to run that many plays for hours.

Now my question is, why do people look at me strange when I request the Blackhawk's game to be turned on at Buffalo Wild Wings. Of course I mean when I'm not in Chicago. To be a professional hockey play takes amazing hand-eye coordination, crazy stamina, and most games a good set of boxing hands. It's like three sports in one. Who doesn't love that? I do.

Some say it's because of the lack of high scoring. Being a huge hockey fan myself, I totally disagree. There is enough celebration packed into every score (especially in Chicago) that it greatly pays off when they eventually do. Plus I think with the games set up being the way they are, the amounts of scoring is evenly balanced. The average score per team in a professional level game is three points. Three extremely hard earned points.

This year's Winter Classic got an overnight rating of 2.3. Now, I can kind of understand this due to the lack of rivalry between the teams Blackhawks and Washington Capitols. But even still. The game was fast paced and full of healthy confrontation among the three quarters. In the end the Capitols took the cake which bothers me, but can't win them all I guess.

What do you think the reason for the NFL being more popular here in the states is?