NHL Playoffs: Who Are the Most Widely-Liked Teams?

Each hockey fan has a reason to cheer for the team they do. Sometimes those reasons are well thought out and logical, but more often they're born into a fan base, meaning they cheer for the team in the city they were born or currently live in.  

It's once a fan considers other teams that the likability is determined. For example, the Vancouver Canucks have one of the largest fan bases in the NHL; yet they're also one of the most hated. You will rarely find a fan that cheers for another team but also roots for the Canucks. 

When looking at the eight teams left in the playoffs, a good reason to cheer for each is not hard to find. For example: 

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings, along with their new-found offense, are incredibly fun to watch. Whether it's a Jonathan Quick robbery, a bone-crushing hit from Dustin Brown or Mike Richards, or a highlight reel goal, a King game won't disappoint. 

The longer these guys stay around, the better the playoffs will be. Not to mention that if the Canucks can't beat them, I'd like to be able to say no one else could either.  

Nashville Predators

If the Predators won the Stanley Cup, it would make for a very interesting offseason. Firstly, their successful commitment to winning would impact the Ryan Suter and Shea Weber sweepstakes. It would also be an interesting addition to the Alexander Radulov situation. 

In addition, the past few years have shown a pattern of defensively-minded teams finding more and more success. There is no team in the league built from the net out in the way the Nashville Predators are. If they won the Cup, it could finally prove that defense first is the way to go, impacting the decisions of the 29 other teams in the offseason in the process.  

New Jersey Devils

This one is pretty simple. Martin Brodeur is one of the best and classiest goaltenders in the history of the game. Love or hate the Devils, it's hard to imagine someone who wouldn't like to see Brodeur go out with a bang and pick up one last Cup. A cup could also seriously impact Zach Parise's future in New Jersey.  

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are home to perhaps the best goaltender in the league and the hardest-working, most admirable captain you can find. This team has been built the way a team should be built, and they play the way the game should be played. It's hard to cheer against them.  

Philadelphia Flyers

Much like the Los Angeles Kings, the longer the Flyers stay in the playoffs, the better for fans. This team scores goals at a higher pace than any team in recent memory, and every game is as exciting as they get. 

The heart and determination displayed from Claude Giroux this postseason has been admirable to say the least. Watching him hoist the cup would certainly bring a smile to my face. It would also be a warm welcome to the plethora of talented rookies on the roster and a great return for Jaromir Jagr as well.  

Phoenix Coyotes

Anyone who has a soft spot for the underdog would find it easy to root for the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Co. have continually defied the odds to the point that they're hardly considered underdogs anymore. With the 2-0 series lead over Nashville, the story looks as if it might continue. 

The stadium has also been full in Phoenix this postseason, and if they're able to build some long-term relationships with fans, a Stanley Cup could be what it takes to keep the team in the desert.  

St. Louis Blues

Speaking of Cinderella stories, the St. Louis Blues are a team that were struggling mightily before the coaching change. Under Ken Hitchcock, they've been virtually unbeatable. 

The Blues are long past being considered underdogs, but it would still be great to see them win the hardware.  

Washington Capitals

When the Capitals entered the playoffs, injuries to Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun forced them to go with their third-string goalie, and it's turned into one of the greatest stories of the playoffs, as Braden Holtby has been a wall for the Capitals.  

Another reason to cheer for the Capitals is the reaction of Alex Ovechkin. This is a guy who's looked like he won the lottery for each and every goal of his career. It's hard to imagine what he'd do if he won the Stanley Cup.  

So my question to the audience is: who do you cheer for? If your regular team is still in the playoffs, pretend they aren't, and put aside all pools and bets; just focus on the team and who's on it.  

Please complete the poll, and feel free to comment and let us know who you regularly cheer for and who else you've chosen.