NHL Playoffs 2011: Power Ranking the Atmosphere in Each Playoff Team's Arena

As NHL teams well know, rowdy and loud fans in an arena can serve as a "sixth man on the ice." A loud arena can give the home team an advantage by getting into the heads of the opponents.

During the playoffs, every extra little bit can help, including the atmosphere in an arena.

Some teams' arenas are so loud that you can't even hear yourself think. Others are practically empty, with indifferent fans.

Here is the ranking of the 2011 NHL playoff teams' arenas.

(Note: This includes every team, including those that have recently been eliminated).

16. Phoenix Coyotes, Jobing.com Arena

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Michal Rozsival #32 of the Phoenix Coyotes on the ice before Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 20, 2011 in Glenda

The Phoenix Coyotes' future in Glendale and Jobing.com Arena is still uncertain.

Despite playoff berths the past couple years, the attendance at Coyotes' games is less than desirable.

Should we be surprised that they were swept out of the playoffs?

15. Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Pete Times Forum

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TAMPA, FL - APRIL 20: Tampa Bay Lightning fans cheer on their team against Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the St. Pete Times Forum on April 20, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004.

Then, the lockout occurred, and the Lightning followed that with disappointing seasons.

This year, under new ownership, a new GM and a new coach, the Lightning made it back to the playoffs.

Unfortunately, their attendance can still use some help.

14. Anaheim Ducks, Honda Center

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ANAHEIM - APRIL 22: Anaheim Ducks mascot Wild Wing carries a flag on the ice before the game with the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 22, 2011 in

The Anaheim Ducks have been inconsistent the past few seasons.

They won the Stanley Cup in 2006-07 season, then were eliminated in the first and second rounds the next two years, respectively.

Last year, they did not even qualify for the playoffs.

A lot of fans have trouble going to games when the team is losing.

13. Nashville Predators, Bridgestone Arena

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 24: Fans of the Nashville Predators cheer during a timeout in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 24, 2011 in Na

Coming into this year's playoffs, the Nashville Predators had yet to win a playoff series.

It's understandable that their arena's atmosphere would be less than other, more developed arena atmospheres.

The Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks for their first playoff series win.

Perhaps the atmosphere will get better in years to come.

12. Los Angeles Kings, Staples Center

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Torrey Mitchell #17 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring in the third period of game four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Kings during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Cen

Staples Center has no trouble selling out crowds.

Unfortunately for the Kings, the more enthusiastic audiences are typically reserved for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team or other various events that travel through the arena.

The Kings are an afterthought.

11. Buffalo Sabres, HSBC Arena

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 24: Nathan Gerbe #42 (left facing) of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates with teammates after scoring Bufffalo's fourth goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup

The Buffalo Sabres have a pretty supportive fan base at HSBC Arena.

They may not be as much as other arenas, but they hold their own.

10. San Jose Sharks, HP Pavilion

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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: Willie Mitchell #33 and Michal Handzus #26 of the Los Angeles Kings and Devin Setoguchi #16 and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks look on against the San Jose Sharks Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a divin

Most of the NHL teams in warm climates aren't as successful as their northern counterparts.

This is not the case in San Jose at HP Pavilion, or the Shark Tank as it is more affectionately called.

The Shark Tank is a very boisterous arena and tough for opponents to play in.

9. Chicago Blackhawks, United Center

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks cheer a goal against of the Vancouver Canucks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The home of the defending Stanley Cup champions get rocking.

The Vancouver Canucks should be glad that they have the home-ice advantage in Game 7.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins, CONSOL Energy Center

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 23: Mattias Ohlund #5 of the Tampa Bay Lightning handles the puck in front of Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energ

The Pittsburgh Penguins have generated a very loyal fanbase in the past few years.

The Pittsburgh faithful come decked out in white for the "whiteout" of playoff games at CONSOL Energy Center.

7. Boston Bruins, TD Garden

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins walks on the ice before the start of the second overtime period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2011 in Bost

Boston sports fans are passionate about their teams. The Bruins' fanbase is no different.

TD Garden is a difficult building to play in because of those Boston fans.

6. Detroit Red Wings, Joe Louis Arena

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DETROIT - JUNE 12: A general view of the giant inflated Octopus on the ice taken before the Game Seven of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (

The enthusiasm of Detroit fans at Joe Louis Arena has been well documented, with the tossing of octopi perhaps the best example of the loyal fanbase.

5. New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his daughter Georgina (R) watch the New York Rangers play against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at

New York fans are very loyal and very loud.

It's always difficult to play in New York, no matter the sport.

4. Vancouver Canucks, Rogers Arena

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 15: The Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks stand on their respective blue lines for the singing of the national anthems prior to the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley

Every arena in Canada is very loud. The passion of Canadian hockey fans is unparalleled.

The Vancouver fans at Rogers Arena are no exception.

The home fans helped deliver the gold for Team Canada at the arena last year, and they'll try to help the Canucks in their Cup quest this year.

3. Philadelphia Flyers, Wells Fargo Center

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 22: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against Chris Butler #34 of the Buffalo Sabres in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia sports fans are known for being loud and rowdy.

This has helped the Flyers be successful at home and makes it difficult for opponents.

2. Washington Capitals, Verizon Center

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Members of the Washington Capitals salute their fans as they defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 23, 201

A few years ago, the Washington Capitals' home was not a formidable place to play.

However, it has become a loud and difficult arena to play in.

Just listen to the crowd next time the Capitals play. It's deafening.

1. Montreal Canadiens, Bell Centre

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 21: Fans take in the pre-game activities before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 21, 2011

As I mentioned a few slides back, Canadians are unmatched in their love of and devotion to hockey.

As one of the original six teams, the Montreal Canadiens have one of the most loyal fanbases in Canada.

The energy is palpable at Canadiens' home games at Bell Centre.