Opinion: Top 5 NHL playoff atmospheres in 2025

Home cooking has been the standard so far in the first round of this NHL postseason. In the 13 total postseason games played so far, the home teams are 10-3 with two of those losses coming courtesy of an out-of-state opponent.

These games have reminded us exactly why they call it home ice advantage.

Being on familiar ice and having 15,000 or more people on your side wildly cheering as your horn blares throughout the arena after the team scores for most of the games, can oftentimes be enough of a motivator to get the squad into the next round.

As usual in the NHL postseason, every arena has been absolutely electric so far this year, but of the 16 teams that made the dance, who does playoff hockey the best? Here are the top five NHL playoff atmospheres in 2025.

5. Ball Arena - Denver, Colorado

Starting off this list a mile high in the city of Denver, Colorado where the Avalanche fans know how to do a playoff atmosphere right.

Colorado is a true hockey state and their giant and noisy fan base is one that can truly rally a team.

The white pom poms that have been a part of Avalanche playoff games since 1996 and the singing of “All The Small Things” by Blink-182 in the third periods of games have been traditions that make the atmosphere at Ball Arena stand out.

After their home ice advantage helped propel them to a Stanley Cup victory in 2022, it was hard to leave them off this list and as they head home with the series against the Stars tied up.

It will be interesting to see if Avalanche Nation can help propel the team to a series win and potentially a second Stanley Cup in four years.

4. Lenovo Center - Raleigh, North Carolina

One of the loudest arenas in the NHL, the Lenovo Center doesn't shy away from being a nightmare for opposing teams to play in.

In 2024 it was voted the second hardest arena to play in as an opposing player according to the NHL Players' Association and the results speak for themselves.

In their current seven year playoff streak, the Hurricanes have a 26-11 record when playing in front of their "Bunch of Jerks" and it hasn't let up this season as they have looked dominant in their two home games against New Jersey so far in the first round largely because of them.

From their intro tornado siren to when the team comes out to "Rock You Like A Hurricane" to the three air horn blares and the "Let's Go Canes" chant that follows, this crowd is involved in every single second of the action and is perfect for number four on this list.

3. Crypto.com Arena - Los Angeles, California

I still remember watching it in my living room with my dad when I was eight years old.

Alec Martinez buried the Stanley Cup winning goal in overtime and the roof blew off the then Staples Center.

Even as a Flyers fan, nothing gives me goosebumps quite like that goal and I have never seen a more electric moment in my life. After watching game one against the Oilers, it's safe to say that Kings fans still got it.

They are still just as rowdy and electrifying as they were 11 years ago. After every goal the Kings score, the roar of the 19,000 strong so loud that it can be heard over the iconic six blaring train horns makes watching Kings' games an incredible experience.

That along with the numerous "Go Kings Go" chants and goalie taunts after each goal makes LA easily the best playoff atmosphere in the US.

2. Bell Centre - Montreal, Quebec

There are a lot of things you could say about fans of the Montreal Canadiens, but saying there’s a lack of passion is not one of them. This is the most passionate fan base in the NHL and they really show it come playoff time.

The biggest arena in the NHL, the Bell Centre holds approximately 21,105 spectators and every single one of them makes their voices heard during game time.

Montreal has the record for the loudest decibels ever recorded in an NHL arena at a whopping 143.6, which is louder than a military jet taking off.

Canadiens fans are extremely proud of their team and history and on Friday with the team playing in their first home playoff game since 2021, their first in front of a packed Bell Centre since 2017, the Montreal fans will be more pumped up than ever which will make for a very exciting atmosphere.

1. Canada Life Centre - Winnipeg, Manitoba

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Playoff time in Winnipeg is one like no other.

The Winnipeg Whiteout carried over from the old Winnipeg Jets to the new and has continued to prove that it is the best postseason tradition in the NHL, making games both visually stunning and increasing fan participation.

The Jets are the only team in the major four sports leagues that the province of Manitoba can call their own and they pour their entire hearts and souls into cheering for them.

Canada Life Centre is the only arena in the NHL that fails to seat 16,000 fans, making it the smallest in the league, which is a mind blowing fact when you turn on a game and hear how loud it is in there.

It’s for this reason that they get the slight edge over Montreal. Although few, the Winnipeg fans are known to reach levels of 124 decibels, which is as loud as a rock concert.

They’ve been so loud after the Jets’ goals in the first two games against the Blues, you can barely hear the horn.

The fans both inside the arena and outside in the Winnipeg Whiteout Street Parties stay fired up from pregame warmups until after the game ends, which is why in my opinion, Winnipeg has the undisputed best playoff atmosphere in hockey.

Brady Welsh is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bdw5435@psu.edu.