Latest news with #hockeyfans
CBS News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
New survey finds Pittsburgh among the best cities in the U.S. for hockey fans
The Pittsburgh Penguins haven't been in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2022, but according to a new survey, that hasn't lessened the enthusiasm Pittsburghers have for hockey. Despite not having the same level of popularity as the NFL, NBA, or MLB, the NHL is still growing, with a revenue of more than $6 billion this past season. WalletHub's latest survey found that Pittsburgh is the third-best city in America for hockey fans. "The Penguins are an extremely popular team, and they have the most engaged fanbase of any team when it comes to followers on social media, as well as the highest share of people who have a positive opinion of them," the survey stated. Ahead of Pittsburgh, coming in first was Boston, and in second was Detroit. "The Boston Bruins are the second-most valuable NHL team, worth $2.7 billion, and they have the third-most engaged fans on social media," the survey said. As for Detroit, the survey found that the Red Wings are the sixth-most valuable team in the league with the sixth-most engaged fans on social media. Along with team value and social media activity, the survey looked at franchise success on the ice as well as collegiate hockey in the region. The Penguins' five Stanley Cup championships are tied for fifth all-time in the NHL behind only five of the Original Six franchises, the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks. Here in Pittsburgh, we have the Robert Morris Colonials, which boasts some of the most affordable NCAA Hockey tickets in the nation at $150 for season tickets. Just behind Pittsburgh is New York City and the Penguins' long-time, in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, clocked in at 12th in WalletHub's survey. You can read the full survey on their website at this link.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Panthers vs. Oilers live updates: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Game 1 start time, picks and predictions
Hello hockey fans and welcome to The Athletic 's live coverage of tonight's Stanley Cup Final Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. These teams are meeting in the final for the second straight year after the Panthers defeated the Oilers in seven games last season. After Edmonton nearly pulled off the comeback from down 3-0 last year, we're set for another epic final this time around. The Athletic will have the series covered from every angle, with up-to-the minute news and analysis from our award-winning reporters, so stay tuned!
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Panthers visit the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton
EDMONTON, Alberta — The second incarnation of the Florida Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final opens in the opposite corner of North America from a year ago . Game 1 is Wednesday night in Edmonton, where fans in the hockey-crazed capital of Alberta get to see their team start a series at home for the first time during this playoff run.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Oilers or Panthers (again)? An updated rooting guide for 30 other NHL fan bases
I can't speak for every hockey fan, but one of the reasons I enjoy this time of year in part is that there's a pleasant sense of familiarity. The postseason story is winding its way to a conclusion, hitting most of the usual beats along the way. We've hit on all of the mandatory controversies. My favorite team is, of course, already out. And most importantly: We can crack open the file folder labelled 'recurring bits,' which makes life easier for everyone. Well, for me. I guess I'm mainly concerned about me here. Advertisement But here's the thing about that comfortable familiarity – you can have too much of a good thing. This year's playoffs are getting a little too familiar, and it's messing things up. There's already been one casualty. For the first time in a while, I didn't bother with the 'lessons from the final four' post this year because three of the four finalists were the same as last year. And now it's happened again, with the hockey gods serving up a rare Stanley Cup Final rematch. Look, we all love a good sequel, and there are plenty of juicy narratives to sink into over the next few weeks. But a rematch threatens to ruin one of my favorite gimmicks, the annual final rooting guide for the 30 other fan bases. We already did Florida vs. Edmonton this time last year. What's a grizzled sportswriter to do? The answer is obvious: Come up with some new ideas for once you hack Double down. So today, we're doing Oilers vs. Panthers, the sequel. But this time there's a twist – I'm going to try really hard to switch up the picks, or at least the reasoning, for as many of the 30 teams as possible. Hey, when has a strategy of running it back ever failed in the past? Let's do this. I said I'd try to switch it up on as many teams as possible. But there are certain lines we just don't cross, and some obvious truths I'm just not interested in messing with. We'll keep this section as short as possible, but it has to exist. Colorado Avalanche When you won your very first Cup in your very first season, Panthers fans threw rats at you. I see no reason to ever forgive that. Pick: Oilers Dallas Stars Here's what I wrote last year, word for word: You just lost a tough Western Conference final in six games, and the disappointment of falling just short in a winnable series is still fresh, so you can go ahead and spite-cheer for the Panthers. Oh, hey, neat, that's the exact same thing we could have said a year ago! Isn't that neat, Stars fans? Huh, they don't seem to think it's very neat. Advertisement Throw a hat on the ice because this year is the hat trick. Full credit to the Stars, at least they changed up the number of games this year (by, uh, losing faster). But otherwise, it's familiar territory for Dallas fans, and you're allowed to hate that. Pick: Panthers Tampa Bay Lightning There are rare circumstances where I might encourage a fan base to cheer on a rival. This is not remotely one of those cases. The Panthers have gone from being the Lightning's scrawny younger brother to a realistic threat, and are now getting dangerously close to equaling or even surpassing them. This nonsense better end here. Pick: Oilers It's about the journey, not the destination, assuming we ignore the fact that this entire post is about the destination. Anaheim Ducks I think I speak for all the other fan bases when I say it would be very funny to see Corey Perry lose in the Stanley Cup Final for the 14th year in a row. But as the only team that has any obligation to actually like the guy, you could be forgiven for feeling like enough was enough, and it's time for him to finally step on the punchline and get that second ring. Pick: Oilers Carolina Hurricanes The Panthers knocked you out of the conference final in five games, which was bad. Then their coach, who never played pro hockey, lectured your 20-year NHL veteran about how handshake lines are supposed to work, which was honestly so much worse. Pick: Oilers Chicago Blackhawks Hawks fans, where are we at on rooting for Seth Jones? He wasn't always beloved in Chicago, and the way he basically forced his way out could leave a bad taste. On the other hand, the Panthers ate most of his contract and gave you a first-round pick and a potential goalie of the future, so maybe we just let bygones be bygones? (Remembers we're talking about hockey fans.) Of course not. Pick: Oilers Advertisement Columbus Blue Jackets It can't be fun for Columbus fans to watch Bill Zito establish himself as arguably the best GM in the league, given he spent seven years in the Blue Jackets front office. Then again, he left right in the middle of Jarmo Kekäläinen's decade-long stint, so it's not like there was an opening to promote him and the Blue Jackets just didn't take it. Rooting for a former employee who did a good job and then left for a better opportunity is good karma, so… Pick: Panthers Minnesota Wild Connor McDavid finally winning his first championship will make him a better leader when the Wild trade for him this summer. Pick: Oilers Nashville Predators I mean, if you're going to spend a ton of money to build your team around the Lightning's all-time franchise player, a longtime Hurricane, and a guy that Florida flushed away in an expansion draft, you might as well go all in on hating the Panthers. Pick: Oilers New York Islanders The Oilers, led by the league's best player, try to win the Stanley Cup in a rematch against last year's champions. Yeah, apparently we're just doing blatant reboots from the mid-80s now. Know your role. I guess. Pick: Panthers New York Rangers We knew the Panthers knocked the Rangers out of the playoffs last year, but we didn't realize they'd dispatched them to the shadow realm. Besides, history shows us that when the Oilers win a Cup, the Rangers get to steal their captain a year later, so… Pick: Oilers Philadelphia Flyers Slowly but surely, we're seeing a cold war develop in the NHL between the big markets that love hockey and actually pay attention to the guys who make millions of dollars to play it, and the smaller ones that win by attracting stars who'd rather wear flip-flops to practice and live in anonymity. You guys know which side you're on. Pick: Oilers Advertisement Toronto Maple Leafs Look, the whole 'maybe we can sign Connor McDavid next summer' thing is a pipe dream, for the Leafs and all the other big market teams thinking about it right now. He's going to re-sign with the Oilers, probably on July 1, because that's what hockey players almost always do. But if he won a Cup in Edmonton, he might feel like he'd done all he could there, and want to seek an even bigger challenge somewhere else. Hm… Pick: Oilers Vancouver Canucks I know that Vancouver fans are solidly in the 'We don't cheer for Canadian rivals' mindset, but are you really going to root for Brad Marchand? I mean, you will after he signs with you for way too much money on July 1, but I mean right now. Ah well, might as well get a little practice in. Pick: Panthers Vegas Golden Knights Should Knights fans get over the fact that they got screwed by a crucial missed call in overtime of a playoff game? Yes, of course, eventually. How long should it take? I have no idea, I just passed three decades and I'm still going strong, so I'll let you know once I figure it out. Until then, you guys and Lil Wayne know what to do. Pick: Panthers Winnipeg Jets Jets fans, are you buying Paul Maurice's whole maudlin 'I hope you're next' routine from last year? Based on this year's survey, apparently you are. And if so, you kind of have to have his back, right? Pick: Panthers Let's clean up an unprecedented situation from last year's post. Calgary Flames Last year, for the first time in the history of this column, we gave the Flames a total pass. After all, their choice was between their most bitter rivals, or the team led by the so-called franchised player who'd forced his way out of Calgary and was somehow getting his tires pumped by the hockey world as some sort of leader for it. Advertisement It's tempting to go with the same special dispensation this time around, but I'm not sure it's necessary. Matthew Tkachuk already has his ring, so that ship has sailed. And since he's playing hurt, he hasn't been the big story on this Florida run. Would Calgary fans enjoy seeing him (and Sam Bennett) win again? No, but it's better than the Oilers bringing the Cup back to Alberta, and actively rooting for your rivals to face-plant on the biggest stage is one of the great joys of sports fandom. I don't want to take that away from Flames fans for the second straight year. Pick: Panthers These are the swing states, where it was close enough last year that I think we can flip teams this time around. And the beauty of it is that if you don't agree, just go back to last year's post. I'm right either way. Buffalo Sabres Last year, the Sabres were a tough call, but ultimately, the Kyle Okposo factor tipped them toward the Panthers. He's not around this year, but Jeff Skinner is in Edmonton, finally getting to (sort of) live his playoff dream after six years in Buffalo. I get that you didn't love his contract, but cheering on an OGWAC can build some karma with the hockey gods that you guys clearly need. Pick: Oilers Detroit Red Wings Last year, I figured you could root for the Oilers so that Ken Holland could get one more Cup. But since they turfed him, you're free to root against them. Yes, that means cheering for a division rival, which is always dicey. But do you want to deal with a little bit of cognitive dissonance, or would you rather watch Jake Walman skate around with a Cup while everyone makes fun of Steve Yzerman? Pick: Panthers Los Angeles Kings Last year, maybe you could root for the Oilers, if only to give yourselves some hope that you weren't that far away from contending, even though they'd beaten you three years in a row. But four? At some point, spite has to overwhelm logic, and I think we're there. Besides, do you really want to spend the next few years hearing about your head coach's dumb challenge deciding a Cup winner? Pick: Panthers Advertisement New Jersey Devils I couldn't double down on using Edmonton's Adam Henrique for the Ducks, but that doesn't mean I can't hold him up as a reason for Devils fans. He once scored a series-winning overtime goal against the Rangers, you should want him to get his ring. Pick: Oilers Ottawa Senators This one's a bit tough. On the one hand, the Panthers made the Maple Leafs sad. On the other, I'm legitimately worried that 'Tkachuk brother forces his way out of small Canadian market to win multiple championships for Sun Belt franchise and never even pretends to have any regrets' isn't the greatest narrative for a Senators fan. Ultimately, I think the tie-breaker here is that the Sens are a playoff team now, so it's time to get some reps in on hating the dirty, filthy Panthers before you run into them next year. Pick: Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins Important breaking news: Last year, I suggested that Penguins fans should root for the Panthers because Patric Hornqvist was part of their front office, which wasn't a great reason but these can't all be bangers. But the bigger news was that Hornqvist's official executive photo still had him wearing his uniform, which was very funny for reasons I can't quite figure out. Anyways, I just checked and… he's now awkwardly wearing a suit and tie, in what appears to be a hastily thrown-together photo shoot, given that he's standing against a different background from everyone else. Is nothing sacred? Penguin fans, look how they massacred our boy. Pick: Oilers San Jose Sharks Last year, we said Sharks fans had to root against the Oilers because they'd just ended Joe Pavelski's last shot at a Stanley Cup. Fair's fair — this year we have to apply the same logic to the Panthers taking out Brent Burns. Just squint and pretend you don't see Evander Kane out there. Pick: Oilers Advertisement Seattle Kraken Honest question: How do Seattle fans feel about the ongoing discourse about zero-tax markets having some sort of huge advantage over everyone else? More specifically, how do you feel about the way you guys get awkwardly left out of the discussion, with everyone pointing to the Panthers and Lightning and Stars and Golden Knights and Predators attracting all the star talent and then mumbling something about Chandler Stephenson? While you're mulling that over, cheer for the Oilers just so it will annoy Canucks fans. Pick: Oilers St. Louis Blues If the Panthers win, you guys are the Ultimate Losers yet again, for what would be the fifth time in franchise history. I'm all for embracing a bit, but maybe let someone else have a turn. Pick: Oilers Utah Mammoth I know you guys aren't technically the Coyotes, but it's still worthwhile to remember where you came from. Did you know that in their last two years in Arizona, the Coyotes signed Troy Stecher in the offseason and then traded him at the deadline for future assets both years? That amuses me. And you still have a fourth-round pick in 2027 to look forward to from those deals. Anyway, I can't think of any really good reasons for Utah fans to swing one way or another, so let's cheer for Troy to get a ring. Pick: Oilers Washington Capitals Four-year Capitals blueliner Nate Schmidt is the only OGWAC option the Panthers have, partly because you guys beat him in the final back in 2018. Pick: Panthers Boston Bruins Finally, I'm pulling the Bruins out of their regular spot in alphabetical order because there are unique circumstances here that are worth special consideration. It was easy enough to root against the Panthers last year, after they'd ended the Bruins' season twice in a row. But now that Florida has become the big farm with lots of room to run around that Brad Marchand got shipped off to, you can root for your former captain. Especially now that he's in the waning years of his storybook career, having transformed into a more mature and maybe even quasi-likeable veteran personality. Hold your nose and do it for Brad. Pick: Panthers Montreal Canadiens But seriously, screw Brad Marchand. Pick: Oilers (Top photo of Connor McDavid and Matthew Tkachuk: Joel Auerbach / Getty Images)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Canadiens Player Makes Stanley Cup Final For Fifth Time In Six Years
Looking Back At Every Attempt At Bringing The Stanley Cup To Canada Since 1993 Canada has been searching for a Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens hoisted it in 1993. Since then, there have been several Canadian teams that have competed in the Cup final, but they've failed each time.
