NHL: It Is “The Road Again”

It did not take long after the first 6 NHL ‘offs games went to the home team for the seemingly inevitable “every team loses at least once at home” maxim to manifest.

The “maxim” has now already “claimed” nearly three quarters (11) of the 16 playoff qualifying teams in just 23 games.

After the aforementioned (0-6) start, the road team is (12-5) in these ‘offs with 6 of the 7 lower seeded game 3 home teams losing in #3. At one point the road team was just (2-10), however a current (10-1) run has them at (12-11).

In ’70 and ’72 the Boston Bruins won the title (they have won one in the 50 completed NHL seasons since then) going (7-0) at home in ’70 and (6-2) in ’72. They are the only current East Conference, series leader that has a home loss.

The top ranked New York Rangers, plurality Cup favorite Carolina Hurricanes, last year’s league runner up Florida (Panthers) and the last 2 title winners, 2022 champion Colorado (Avalanche) and defending title holder Las Vegas (Golden Knights) are the five teams without a home loss.

The three East teams cited above, the Rangers, Hurricanes and Panthers have (3-0) first round series leads while Colorado won #3 at home (the only lower seed to do so) vs Winnipeg (Jets) to take a (2-1) series lead.

Defending champion, but West “8” seed, Las Vegas plays their first home tilt tonight, after two wins at Dallas, vs the league overall “2” seed, Dallas Stars.