Top Five NHL Arenas for Playoff Hockey in 2024

Fans celebrate after a goal by Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1. James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Playing in your home arena in the Stanley Cup playoffs can give you a distinct advantage.

In addition to familiarity with the rink ice and boards, there’s the influence of the fan base that can work to your benefit as a team. And some arenas and fan bases are better than others when it comes to intimidating their team’s opponent.

There’s lots to like across the league, from Carolina Hurricanes fans being as loud as ever to Edmonton Oilers fans throwing more than 1,000 hats on the ice for Zach Hyman’s hat trick in Game 1.

Which NHL rinks are most imposing? In reverse order, here is this writer’s perspective on the top five.

5. TD Garden, Boston Bruins

The Bruins have been one of the more successful teams in recent seasons, and the Boston faithful are some of the more rabid and expectant fan bases in the game. And they’ve been rewarded with the Bruins having the second-best points percentage at home in the NHL over the past decade.

Despite having to say goodbye to star veterans, including Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, over the years, B’s fans are relentless supporters of their players, and they’re not afraid to chastise opponents and officials if things don’t go their way.

They adore lifelong Bruins such as Brad Marchand, and their optimistic attitude never changes, even when the lineup does. As an opponent, you go into Beantown knowing Bruins fans will show up and show off, and their team has earned them that right.

4. T-Mobile Arena, Vegas Golden Knights

Granted, they’ve only been around since 2017, but Vegas fans have made it clear they’re one of the most passionate hockey groups around.

The Golden Knights’ in-game presentation is a key part of what makes their fans so proud and vocal, and they’ve been rewarded for it with a Cup last season.

Some fan bases begrudge Vegas management for what they perceive as salary cap circumvention, but nobody is accusing their fan base of underhanded tactics. It’s an organically grown market that has responded as well as anyone could’ve hoped for, and when the Golden Knights host the Dallas Stars for Games 3 and 4 in their first-round series, there’s no question Vegas fans will be vocal and persistent in their support of their team.

3. Rogers Arena, Vancouver Canucks

Canucks fans have waited a long time for Vancouver to get back into the post-season, and their pent-up energy was on display in the first two playoff games against the Nashville Predators this spring. The outpouring of emotion was incredible.

“It’s hard not to get choked up when you see that,” Canucks forward J.T. Miller said after Game 1. “That literally is everything. That emotion and that noise and the towels, I mean, if you can’t get up for that, then you got something wrong with you.”

Players getting emotional by the energetic atmosphere doesn’t happen every day, but Vancouver supporters have demonstrated exactly how passionate they are toward their team, and they could bear witness to a long playoff run this year.

2. Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Predators

It’s not only the throaty support of the Predators that sets Nashville fans apart from other fan bases. From college-style chants (“It’s all your fault”) to famous musicians (including country stars Vince Gill and Amy Grant) in the stands, the Preds are a force to reckon with in their building.

They’ll get their chance to make an impact in Games 3 and 4 of their series against Vancouver, and everyone who’s attended a Predators home game expects nothing less than their usual high-impact performance in the seats of Bridgestone. The Predators aren’t successful every season, but their support has never lagged, and the same holds true this year.

1. Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg Jets

The Jets play in one of the NHL’s smaller markets, but you’d never guess that if you were in attendance for a playoff game. Their “Whiteout” is famous throughout the hockey world, and their ongoing support for their team gives the Jets a notable leg up on the emotional front.

Winnipeg received some blowback this year in regard to their regular-season attendance, but in this post-season, there’s no questioning them and their backing of the Jets. Winnipeggers love their hockey, but once the playoffs arrive, the love factor for the Jets rises exponentially.

When they’re at their most vocal, Jets fans provide the best home market in the league. Though they weren’t happy with a split between the Jets and Colorado Avalanche in the first two games of Round 1, Jets fans will continue providing their team with an emotional boost few other teams can match.

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