Which team should you root for in the NHL playoffs? The 2023 Bandwagon-Hoppers guide

June 15, 2024

The playoffs are here, and if your team made it then you know what to do. (Hyperventilate, vomit sporadically, hate your life.)

But what if your team didn’t make it? You have several options. You could sit back and watch as a neutral observer. You could pick a few rivals to spite-watch. You could check out completely until the draft lottery.

Or you could go the dreaded bandwagon route. It’s a controversial path, one that some hockey fans will swear is forbidden. But the truth is that it’s just more fun to watch the playoffs with a rooting interest, even if it’s a flimsy one that you won’t hesitate to abandon as soon as the final horn sounds on that fourth loss. Your team was bad this season, you endured it all, and now the games really matter and you deserve to have a quick fling, you know?

If so, you want to choose wisely. You want a team that’s good enough to win, but not so good that you look like a frontrunner. You want fun characters, good stories, an OGWAC or two, and ideally not too many players you’ll feel dirty for rooting for. I’m here to help. It’s time for my annual bandwagon-hopper’s guide to the 16 playoff teams.

Why you should get on board: Because you don’t care about being called a frontrunner. The Avs are one of the most exciting and entertaining teams in the league, and we all deserve nice things. Screw what people say, you’re taking the defending champs.

Why you shouldn’t: You should care about being called a frontrunner, because they’re the worst.

Bottom line: Picking the reigning champs as the worst possible bandwagon team is a bit of a cliché and I don’t do it every year, but this year you can get all the skill and potential from a team whose fan base isn’t still hungover from the parade.

◽️ Who's picking against the Bruins?
◽️ Edmonton to emerge from the West?
◽️ Who wins the Battle of the Hudson?

The Athletic's NHL staff makes their playoff picks:https://t.co/fXMYdTDLDw

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 16, 2023

Why you should get on board: They don’t have Joe Thornton or Claude Giroux anymore, but otherwise just about all the things still apply from last year when we anointed them the easy pick as the best bandwagon team in the league. The fan base has been through a ton, the team is talented and fun to watch, and they’re the classic little brother that keeps getting picked on by the more successful sibling. And unlike last year, you can’t even be accused of frontrunning, because the 2022 Presidents’ Trophy winners had to scrape into the playoffs with a hot second half.

It’s just about perfect. What could go wrong?

Why you shouldn’t: They’re going to absolutely get their doors blown off by the Bruins. Like, it’s going to be ugly. This series might be over in three games.

Bottom line: I can’t in good conscience recommend the Panthers this year given their matchup, even as I can still see the appeal. I wouldn’t have the guts, but if you do, I respect it.

Why you should get on board: Nobody believes in them! Including their fans, coach and all their players!

And rightly so, probably. They barely snuck into the playoffs after stumbling through the second half. Still, they’re one of the only teams in the Western Conference with strong goaltending, and in theory there’s enough firepower that they’re never out of a game. Also, Rick Bowness has been coaching in the league since 1917 and still doesn’t have a Cup.

An underrated bonus element: The Jets remain the only team that could end Canada’s three-decade Stanley Cup drought without every other fan base in the country being absolutely furious about it.

Why you shouldn’t: Could they beat Vegas? Sure. But when you look ahead at a four-round path, it gets awfully hard to find one here that doesn’t end badly, and probably sooner than later.

Bottom line: No guts, no glory. Probably no glory either way, to be honest.

Why you should get on board: The Kings are a great mix of underdog (with almost everyone picking the Oilers to knock them out) and skill. They flew just under the radar for most of the year, but were better than just about anyone expected. Their biggest issue was goaltending, and they seem to have fixed that at the deadline. And as a bonus, if you’re a fan of a rebuilding team, the Kings are pretty close to your model of what it should look like, right? Seeing them go on a deep run would be a nice proof-of-concept of the patient approach that so many teams are trying to emulate right now.

Why you shouldn’t: You’ve made Connor McDavid angry and now he will eat your eyes.

Bottom line: The Kings are a great story and under different circumstances would probably make for a strong pick. I just can’t imagine volunteering to root against McDavid this year.

Why you should get on board: They’ve won the Eastern Conference three years in a row and they’ve got the Leafs again in round one, so you’re not exactly going out on a limb here. The team has a ton of star power, Jon Cooper is usually good for a funny sound bite or two, and the crowds are great. If you just want to sit back and enjoy a few rounds of skilled hockey, they’re not a bad choice. Plus there’s a real “aging champion rises wearily for one more shot at the belt” vibe here, and that’s always fun.

Why you shouldn’t: With all their recent success, especially their 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cups, this feels like a frontrunner pick. That’s mitigated a bit by a lackluster season. In theory, they’re underdogs against the Leafs, and maybe even significantly, even as it doesn’t necessarily feel that way.

They’ve also got a bunch of chippy players, most notably Corey Perry. Mix that in with their dominance over the years, and it’s possible that they make for a better villain to root against than a bandwagon team to cheer for. That’s a compliment, by the way.

Bottom line: Also, if you pick the Lightning then you’re at least temporarily aligning with the anti-Leaf freaks, so good luck getting a word in.

Why you should get on board: They have a ton of talent, one of the best goalies in the world, and Patrick Kane in what could be his last run at a Cup. They swung big at the trade deadline, and having that payoff would be nice for trade fans. And they won two rounds last year but still don’t feel like a Metropolitan Division favorite this year, even if maybe they should be.

Plus we know from experience that if they do win the Stanley Cup, the NHL will market it incessantly for decades to come, so you might as well get on board voluntarily now before you have no choice.

Why you shouldn’t: They’re playing the upstart Devils, who are exceedingly tough to root against, so you’re kind of cheering for the Death Star over the rebels here. Also, you’ll have to spend all your free time waiting for someone to suggest that Kaapo Kakko might be a bust and then yelling at them.

Bottom line: The NHL’s accounting department is already here.

10. Vegas Golden Knights

Why you should get on board: They’ve been an attractive option ever since they came into the league. They’ve also been a divisive one. But after last year’s playoff miss and some bumps in the road this season, it feels like the “too much too soon” vibe has worn off enough that they’re no longer an especially controversial pick.

Instead, we can focus on the return of Mark Stone, the playoff debut of Jack Eichel, and a rotating cast of goalies that could eventually include one last run from Jonathan Quick. The atmosphere in Vegas will be great, as always. And they’ve got a very winnable first-round matchup, plus home ice until at least the Final.

Why you shouldn’t: It goes without saying that Sabres fans are exempt here. Beyond that, you’re picking the top seed in a conference that still isn’t viewed as the favorite, which isn’t a great combination. And while the “too soon” vibe might be fading, the “these guys cheat the salary cap” one is not.

Bottom line: If you convince a few friends to join you on the bandwagon, then you’re really honor-bound to make a trip to support the team in person, just saying.

The fact that a player as supremely talented as Jack Eichel has yet to grace the Stanley Cup playoffs stage isn't right.

That changes now. And Eichel's been preparing seven years for it, writes @JesseGranger_.https://t.co/UoZlILMBR2

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) April 17, 2023

Why you should get on board: They’re probably the best underdog story of the postseason. As a second-year expansion team coming off a lousy debut, nobody thought they’d be any good this year. Once they put together a strong first few months, nobody believed that they could keep it up. And now that they’re in the playoffs, nobody thinks they’re going to beat the Avs.

But! They’re a fun team, the vibe is still fresh, and their fans would probably welcome a little bit of backup. And with balanced scoring up and down the lineup, you don’t have to worry about one guy getting hurt and torpedoing your hopes.

Why you shouldn’t: There’s a reason why nobody’s picking them to go far. A few, actually, including very questionable goaltending, subpar special teams, and that lack of a big-time star who can take over when it matters most.

Bottom line: The Kraken are a high-risk, high-reward pick. It probably ends quickly, but if it doesn’t, the bandwagon will fill up and you’ll be glad you got your seat early.

Why you should get on board: Because nobody ever bandwagons the Wild, meaning you’ll never be accused of just chasing the popular pick. Beyond that, you’d get to watch Kirill Kaprizov, feel afraid of Dean Evason, send OGWAC vibes to Mats Zuccarello, and cheer for Marc-Andre Fleury, unless he isn’t the starter which can be its own kind of fun. They’re the Central’s No. 3 seed, so you’re not picking a favorite, but their series with the Stars is close to a coin flip and there’s a path out of the Western Conference here if everything breaks just right.

Oh, and they’re avenging the theft of the noble North Stars.

Why you shouldn’t: I ranked them second last year and then they won two playoff games, failing to get out of the first round for the seventh year in a row.

Bottom line: When you tell people you’re bandwagonning this year’s Wild, they’ll go through a range of emotions that will end with them making the same faces as the Kombucha meme lady.

Why you should get on board: They’re a fun team that embraces its role as the non-traditional maverick, doing unthinkable things like signing players to offer sheets and being happy when they win. Rod Brind’Amour is the most entertaining coach in the league. They’re also one of the smartest teams out there, and we could all stand to see that approach rewarded these days. Oh, and they’re really good, finishing the regular season with the second-best record and all sorts of sexy underlying numbers.

Why you shouldn’t: With Andrei Svechnikov and Max Pacioretty both out and Ilya Sorokin looming in Round 1, maybe this isn’t the year to jump on board.

Bottom line: They were my top pick in 2020, so you might be a little late to the party here. Still, you could do far worse.

6. Boston Bruins

Why you should get on board: They’re coming off what was arguably the greatest regular season in NHL history. David Pastrnak is amazing. Patrice Bergeron might be the most universally respected player in the sport right now. Taylor Hall is nearing OGWAC territory. Jim Montgomery is a great story. Their goaltender occasionally gets bored and scores goals. Honestly, I’m not completely sure what else you would want.

Why you shouldn’t: That record-setting 135-point regular season means they’re the runaway favorites for the Cup, so you can’t pick them.

Except … could you? In a typical season, picking the heavy favorite as your bandwagon team is morally questionable. But the Bruins have a real Last Dance vibe to them, with Bergeron (and maybe David Krejci) getting close to the finish line and other key pieces getting up there. It’s not necessarily now or never, but it absolutely might be, and that adds a compelling component to what would otherwise be a typical “regular season powerhouse tries to finish the job” story.

That said, you’d be rooting for Brad Marchand. Proceed with caution.

Bottom line: Look, I know we love upsets, but having the best team actually win the Cup and making the regular season seem like it matters wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

5. New York Islanders

Why you should get on board: It’s a former dynasty with a great fan base that’s fallen on hard times over the last few decades, with arena drama, ownership shenanigans, their franchise player abandoning them, and a long drought of playoff success. That last one got better in recent years under Barry Trotz, but last year’s playoff miss seemed to push them back into also-ran status, so this year’s rebound has been a nice story.

More importantly, they’re a wild card with a real chance at an upset run. Ilya Sorokin might be the best goalie in the league right now, and he’s certainly the best one in this series against Carolina. The Islanders have been a trendy upset pick, and if they win then there’s a decent chance you’ll get a showdown with the Rangers in Round 2 that will be crazy fun as long as you’re OK with occasionally punching Santa.

Why you shouldn’t: They’re not the most exciting group, with Sorokin arguably being the only superstar on a team that tends to play low-scoring games. They’re not exactly the boring, grind-it-out, 2-1 team they’ve been accused of being over the years, but they also haven’t finished higher than 20th in scoring in five seasons, so the reputation hasn’t come out of nowhere.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a wild-card team with potential, the Islanders are your best option.

Why you should get on board: (thunder rumbles) They’re a great team that finally seems ready to break through. (ominous laughter drifts across the barren plain) They’ve got a tired Lightning team that’s absolutely ripe for the picking. (locusts fall from sky) All systems go, let’s do this, what could go wrong?

Why you shouldn’t: (ground opens up and swallows us all deep down into the pits of hockey hell) Nothing comes to mind.

Bottom line: Honestly, if you can get past all the narratives and history and tribalism, the Leafs are a legitimately great pick, especially in this all-or-nothing year. And their fan base deserves it more than any other. Fight me if you want, you know it’s true.

Their numbers have dropped in the playoffs. Their big-game performances have been (mostly) disappointing.

The Leafs need Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander to lead them over the top this postseason — now more than ever: https://t.co/ZPkKUUmA4x

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 17, 2023

3. New Jersey Devils

Why you should get on board: Of all the teams in this year’s mix, they’re the contender that wasn’t supposed to be here. They missed the playoffs by a whopping 37 points last year, so they still have plenty of underdog aura. But unlike the Kraken, they’re absolutely good enough to go on a long run, so you’re not hitching your wagon to a miracle. And since they seem like they’ll be contenders for a while, you might as well get a good seat on the bandwagon now.

Why you shouldn’t: The Rangers are a tough matchup, and the East is pretty brutal. A run is absolutely possible, but a Cup win would be a surprise.

Bottom line: As long as you know that there’s a decent chance it ends badly at some point, the Devils are a great pick.

2. Dallas Stars

Why you should get on board: Where to begin. Jason Robertson might legitimately be the most likable young star in the league. Joe Pavelski is the single-best OGWAC in this year’s playoffs. Ryan Suter isn’t far behind him. Jamie Benn has been a great comeback story. Tyler Seguin is another strong story, and also a generally fun character. If Max Domi goes far enough, Tie might show up at some point and do something wacky. Oh, and they have a giant goalie who almost singlehandedly won them a round last year and has been even better this year.

Why you shouldn’t: Norm Green sucks.

Bottom line: The first-round matchup is a tough one, but this year’s Stars shape up as an absolutely fantastic pick.

1. Edmonton Oilers

Why you should get on board: If you just sat through an entire six-month NHL season where your team didn’t even make the playoffs, you deserve a reward. And nothing is more rewarding than having Connor McDavid on your team, even temporarily.

On its own, that’s enough to get the Oilers into the top five. But this year’s team is far more than McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which is why they’re near the top of everyone’s list of favorites. They led the league in scoring, and it would be cool to see a team do that and then win it all. They also went big at the deadline, and we should want to encourage that.

And best of all, the fan base deserves this. Sure, the old-timers had a dynasty to cheer for decades ago, but think of the children. Any Oilers fan under 30 has never known a world where their team wasn’t a punchline. Now they’ve finally got it all set up for a Cup run.

Lunchtime reading:

Connor McDavid, the NHL’s best player, has ‘freed his mind’: Will an Oilers Stanley Cup follow?

via @TheAthletic https://t.co/64bwgcWGlQ

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) April 17, 2023

Why you shouldn’t: You’re a Flames fan? Other than still being mad about a string of lottery luck from over a decade ago, that’s all I can come up with.

Bottom line: Do it.

(Photo: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)

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