Cities/Areas With At Least One Team In Both The NHL And NBA Playoffs

Six cities/areas had at least one team in both the NHL and NBA playoffs in 2023. This year again there are six, five being the same city/area.

Last year, the New York/New Jersey area had 5, the NHL Devils, Rangers and Islanders as well as the NBA Knicks and Nets. This time, the Rangers (currently up (3-2), but once (3-0) in the “quarters” vs Carolina (Hurricanes), the Knicks tied (2-2) vs Indiana (Pacers) and the Islanders, ousted by Carolina in the first round qualified for the ‘offs.

In both 2023 and 2024, Los Angeles had 3 teams in the ‘offs, the NBA Clippers and Lakers joined by the NHL Kings. Only the ’23 Lakers, swept by Denver (Nuggets) in the semis, made it past the first round, (one for six) in the 2 seasons.

Last year Boston, had the top ranked NHL and second ranked NBA teams, the Bruins and Celtics respectively. Miami with the NHL Panthers and NBA Heat, Denver with the defending NHL champion Avalanche and NBA West top seed Nuggets and Minnesota with the NHL Wild and NBA Timberwolves, each had one team, their lone such team in both league’s playoffs.

This time Boston, Denver/Colorado and Miami/Florida again had both their winter sports teams qualify for the ‘offs while Dallas replaced Minnesota as a city/area with 2 ‘offs teams.

Last year Denver ended up with another “winter sports” title as the NBA Nuggets won it all.

In 2022, their NHL team, the Colorado Avalanche won the requisite 16 playoff games and raised Lord Stanley’s Cup as NHL champions.

Let’s see what happens in 2024. More details on these ‘offs are forthcoming.

Click below and view John Denver performing “Rocky Mountain High” at one of his concerts.

Mr. Denver dying years back remains a great loss. He was a great performer.