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My Top Ten Places to See an NHL Game. Yours? Thur's Buzz

July 9, 2020, 12:06 PM ET [55 Comments]
Eklund
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The Athletic released their rankings of the NHL Arenas:

1 Vegas
2 Montreal
3 MSG
4 Winnipeg
5 Pittsburgh
6 Columbus
7 Edmonton
8 Caps
9 Minnesota
10 Toronto
11 Boston
12 Dallas
13 Detroit
14 Tampa
15 Chicago
16 Vancouver
17 LA
18 Nashville
19 Philly
20 Colorado
21 Buffalo
22 St Louis
23 San Jose
24 Carolina
25 Anaheim
26 Arizona
27 Calgary
28 NJ
29 Florida
30 Nassau
31 Barclay Center
32 Ottawa

This list is of course the definition of subjective, but some of these I don't agree with at all in terms of rankings. I haven't been to ALL of these arenas, but I have seen NHL games in 22 of the 31 NHL cities...so all I can do is rank those and give some thoughts...

I am old. So I have also been in some arenas that no longer exist...Places like the Montreal Forum, The Spectrum in Philly, The Igloo in Pitt, Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, the Continental Airlines Arena in NJ, and The Caps Center in Maryland...I took a tour of Maple Leaf Gardens, but didn't see a game there...
So, I have actually been fortunate enough to watch NHL hockey in 30 different arenas...(and a few outdoor stadiums of course)

All those old arenas were crazy cool. Nothing for me will ever top the Montreal Forum and The Spectrum of course holds a place close to my heart. Section 35 row 12 seats 10,11 was my home for most of my childhood... Northlands Coliseum was unbelievable as well. So much history and so loud!

Here are my top ten favorite NHL arenas/cities to go to...


#10 San Jose

Great arena. great fans! I am partial to Northern California when it comes to places to be. If I can travel to anywhere in the world in general it would be Northern California. Hands down.

#9 Pittsburgh

The old arena had a little more charm, but the fans in Pittsburgh have carried the same spirit into this building. Its loud and these fans have been blessed by watching so many star players they are good at anticipating when something magical is about to happen.

#8 Carolina

The BBQs outside during the tailgate is simply worth the trip. I will never forget game 7 of the Cup Final here...The fans took a page from their college basketball roots and stood the ENTIRE game. It was insane.

#7 MSG

The World's most famous venue and it feels like it. There is just amazing energy that surrounds every aspect of the experience. Just walking to the arena in the Big Apple. It is truly inspiring.

#6 LA

I have seen two Cups won in this arena and LA may have the best "In Arena" scoreboard stuff to get the fans fired up. It is Hollywood after all. The crowd is just crazy loud and this city feels like a hockey city that is over 50 years old. REAL Hockey fans.

#5 Buffalo

I know there have been quite a few down years in Buffalo, but when the Sabres were going strong this was the place to be. I have been there half a dozen times, but nothing will top the Conference Final vs Carolina. I can't wait to see the Sabres strong again.

#4 Nassau Coliseum on Long Island

Whoever put this at #30 for the Athletic has NEVER been to this place. Of the arenas I have been to, this is the only Forum/Spectrum place we have left (I hear Winnipeg rivals it). When the islanders are flying at their best this arena can blow others away...

#3. Philadelphia

Ok, I admit my bias here and the Flyers had a rough decade (until this season) but when the Flyers are hitting and the team is skating there is no place like it. The playoffs in Philly are truly top shelf all around. The building is insane in the playoffs.

#2. Montreal

My favorite city on the planet. A city so beautiful with hockey in its blood. So much culture and history. And when the Habs are great the fans here appreciate it by being the loudest arena anywhere. It is hard to not get chills with a pre-game video montage featuring the kind of history they have here. The torch! Its all just awesome. It is hockey.

#1. Nashville

Yes Nashville. I know people will have issues, but those people have NEVER been to Nashville for a Preds game. I felt this way BEFORE they went to the Cup. Music and Hockey are two of my life's passions so I may be a bit impartial, but there is nothing like walking down Nashville's Broadway, hearing band after band in all the bars with their windows open...and then walking into the Smashville Scene. Unbelievably LOUD and an arena built just prior to the monstrosities of today, so it has that Spectrum type of a feel to it still. This experience is so good I am afraid that NOT having their fans could actually affect the Preds badly in the playoffs this year. But if you EVER get the chance to go to Nashville for a game, don't even think about it. just go.

Your favorite arenas?



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