5 NHL Teams That Need Home-Ice Advantage in the Playoffs

In a seven-game series, home-ice advantage in the NHL playoffs plays a crucial role. History has taught us that the home team has a 0.25-goal edge to start the game.

Granted, some teams flourish in spite of home-ice advantage—take the 2011 Boston Bruins for example. The Bruins traveled to Vancouver for Game 7 of the finals, in what was a series lacking nothing.

For the most part, teams within playoff contention strive for home-ice advantage for a reason—it is crucial to playoff success for most teams.

On the following slide, I will start to discuss five NHL teams within playoff contention that will be in the most need of the home-ice advantage.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings find themselves in a strange place being on this list.

Currently, Detroit is actually one of the better teams in the Western Conference, placing fourth in the current standings with a record of 47-27-5.

The reason Detroit is on the list is because of their home-and-away splits.

You may remember earlier in the season when the Red Wings had an unbelievable 23-home game winning streak. Since then, the team has been somewhat slumping and may need home ice during the playoffs to advance.

Detroit's home-and-away splits are very far apart—31-6-2 and 16-21-3, respectively. Surprising for such a veteran team.

Detroit will need to move up in the seeding and secure more home-ice advantage if they wish to contend for a championship this year.

Home Record: 31-6-2

Away Record: 16-21-3

Home GF/G: 3.56

Away GF/G: 2.38

Home GA/G: 1.97

Away GA/G: 2.93

Washington Capitals

If the Washington Capitals make the playoffs, it will most likely be as the eighth seed—causing even more of a reason to rely on the home-ice advantage.

The Capitals own the third-ranked home record in the Eastern Conference at 25-11-4, but when playing away from the Verizon Center, they are just 15-21-4.

In order for Washington to advance far in the postseason, they will need to play near flawless hockey at home and try to steal more than a few away from their home ice.

Home Record: 25-11-4

Away Record: 15-21-4

Home GF/G: 2.78

Away GF/G: 2.48

Home GA/G: 2.43

Away GA/G: 3.15

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team much like Detroit.

Currently in sixth place in the Western Conference, Chicago has a very good home record of 27-8-6, and a not so good away record of 17-18-4.

A large contributing factor to the difference in home and away records is the play of Chicago goalies on the road.

Although the Blackhawks do not have the greatest goaltending to begin with, their save percentage drops 11 points while on the road.

Unless the goalies begin to play much better away from their home ice, Chicago will need to take advantage of every home-ice opportunity.

Home Record: 27-8-6

Away Record: 17-18-4

Home GF/G: 3.27

Away GF/G: 2.67

Home GA/G: 2.63

Away GA/G: 3.08

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are currently battling to reach the playoffs, and to no surprise considering their road record.

Although the Sharks' home record of 25-12-3 is far better than their road record of 15-17-7, that is not the most interesting home-and-away split.

Currently, the Sharks score 2.88 goals a game while at home. Compare that to 2.33 goals a game away, and you can tell that offense on the road is a major issue.

Considering that San Jose will receive either a seventh or eighth seed, it is vital to continue scoring while they have home-ice advantage since the road has been so difficult for them.

Home Record: 25-12-3

Away Record: 15-17-7

Home GF/G: 2.88

Away GF/G: 2.33

Home GA/G: 2.28

Away GA/G: 2.69

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues are one of the most dominant teams in the National Hockey League at home, with a record of 30-5-4.

On the road, however, they are mediocre at best, with a modest 18-16-6 record.

With such dominance on home ice, and a possible second seed in the Western Conference, the Blues will be thankfully looking to play the majority of their games at home—where they average just under three goals a game.

On the road, however, the Blues score almost a goal less per game, which is the worst home and away differential in the NHL.

Home Record: 30-5-4

Away Record: 18-6-6

Home GF/G: 2.97

Away GF/G: 2.10

Home GA/G: 1.62

Away GA/G: 2.10