The playoffs are nearly right here, and whereas we’re nonetheless ready on a few matchups, we all know the 16 groups. In the event you root for one in all them, you’re not studying this since you’re curled up in somewhat ball, twitching and sweating and making an attempt to not puke. Playoffs, child!
That leaves the remainder of you, the followers of the 16 groups that spent the season being huge losers strategically retooling for a brighter future. You’ve obtained to determine who to root for over the approaching weeks and months. You might skip that half solely, in fact, and simply benefit from the playoffs as a impartial observer. You might hate-watch your crew’s rivals. Or you might choose and select, dropping out and in of whichever sequence appears good and cheering on whoever looks like the best alternative within the second.
These are all legitimate choices. However there’s one other, and it’s a considerably controversial one: You might choose a bandwagon crew to journey with all spring. It’s good apply for the true factor, in spite of everything, supplying you with a style of the ups and downs of following one crew for so long as it could possibly final. And when your crew will get knocked out, you’ll be able to really feel dangerous for 10 minutes earlier than shrugging and shifting on to another person.
In the event you’re contemplating a bandwagon crew, I’ve obtained you lined. Right here’s my annual have a look at all 16 playoff groups, ranked from the worst bandwagon choices to the easiest.
Why it’s best to get on board: You’re a contrarian.
Why you shouldn’t: I’ve been doing these lists lengthy sufficient that “Don’t root for the defending champs” has nearly turn into a trope. It’s basic front-running, in spite of everything, and the rarity of repeat champions within the cap period means that it’s additionally normally futile. So yeah, on the whole, don’t root for the defending champ.
However these explicit champs? Come on. Everybody hates the Golden Knights, the too-much-too-soon enlargement crew that gained’t cease buying and selling for All-Stars and skipped to the entrance of the road, partly by dishonest the wage cap.
Backside line: The Knights had been at all times a enjoyable choose for a selected kind of bandwagon fan again after they had been the brand new guys nonetheless making an attempt to defy custom and buck the percentages. However now that they’ve gained, this can be the best rating within the historical past of this column.
Why it’s best to get on board: It’s at all times enjoyable to select a wild card that goes on a run, and the Lightning seem like an inexpensive wager to just do that. And the narrative of the previous champs making an attempt to get again to the highest of the mountain another time earlier than all of it crumbles is one you might get behind.
Why you shouldn’t: Actually, what’s the best-case situation right here? The Lightning pull off an upset or two, perhaps even go all the best way to the ultimate, and … congratulations, you’re bandwagoning a crew that’s already been there 3 times in 4 years. It’s all the danger of choosing a wild-card crew, with none of the enjoyable underdog vibes.
Backside line: There’s additionally the Nikita Kucherov issue, which is able to assist or harm relying on how a lot you want the thought of an MVP-level wizard who also can come throughout as sort of a jerk typically.
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re a possible underdog, one that everybody appears to be forgetting about however that’s been constructing to this for years now. It’s not remarkable for groups just like the Kings to emerge as contenders, and after they do everybody else is normally only a bit too late to determine what they’re watching. You might be the one who already had their seat on the bandwagon.
Why you shouldn’t: The Kings peaked early, obtained some consideration after which light within the second half earlier than ending sturdy, so that they match the profile of a crew that most likely deserves extra respect than they’re getting. However that doesn’t imply they’re not underdogs, and driving with them in a first-round matchup in opposition to a high-flying crew in Dallas or Edmonton is probably not your concept of enjoyable.
Backside line: Talking of not all that enjoyable, there’s additionally this complete factor. The Kings are going to rank excessive on this checklist some 12 months quickly, however that 12 months shouldn’t be this one.
Why it’s best to get on board: One of many longest-suffering fan bases within the league is again within the playoffs but once more, this time with a loopy new coach to go along with their crusty outdated GM. No one is choosing them to win something and their followers comprehend it, so should you like a great “us in opposition to the world” story then you could have discovered your non permanent residence.
Why you shouldn’t: We gained’t escape the dreaded “b” phrase, however we are going to level out that no playoff crew apart from Washington scores lower than the Islanders, and their ticket to a future most likely includes driving their goaltending to a bunch of low-scoring wins. Selecting this crew to bandwagon would really feel just a bit like having a cheat day in your weight loss program and selecting to spend it on the salad bar.
Backside line: In the event that they beat the Hurricanes and go on to play the Rangers in Spherical 2, it’s a must to get a Denis Potvin jersey. Simply preserve that in thoughts.
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re an excellent crew with loads of star gamers, together with the probably MVP. And after final 12 months’s first-round catastrophe in opposition to the Kraken, they need to be motivated.
Why you shouldn’t: Shaky goaltending has led to a tricky last stretch, which means they’ll begin the playoffs on the highway in opposition to an excellent Jets crew in a sequence that’s principally a coin flip. And since they gained all of it in 2022, you don’t even get any underdog factors for selecting them.
Backside line: For sheer enjoyable issue, this roster is fairly stacked. However it’s a little bit of a front-runner choose mixed with a tricky first matchup.
Why it’s best to get on board: They had been the highest choose for the 2022 checklist, and an terrible lot of what we mentioned again then nonetheless holds. They’re a enjoyable crew, they’ve by no means gained a Cup, and their followers have needed to take care of limitless negativity over the previous few many years. Heck, they’d most likely even welcome some bandwagon love. Oh, they usually’re actually good, having adopted up a 2022 Presidents’ Trophy with a run to final 12 months’s last.
Why you shouldn’t: Just a few weeks in the past I attempted to promote you on the Panthers because the NHL’s new crew you like to hate, with blended success. However yeah, between Matthew Tkachuk, Nick Cousins, Sam Bennett and others, you’re going to see them do one thing nasty over the subsequent few weeks that you simply’ll must fake to defend.
Backside line: They’re additionally taking part in the Lightning, the massive brother that’s been kicking sand of their face for years. These guys can’t even villain appropriately.
10. New York Rangers
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re the very best crew within the league, a minimum of in response to their common season document, and a roster stacked with expertise seems to agree. However with just one Stanley Cup to point out for the final 84 years, you’re hardly chasing after latest success right here. In the event you’re on the lookout for a bandwagon, you might do rather a lot worse than a giant market with an excellent goalie and many star energy that can get a ton of protection.
Why you shouldn’t: The Rangers have been an enchanting crew to observe this 12 months, with a minimum of some statistical proof exhibiting that they is probably not nearly as good as their document suggests they’re, particularly on the even power that makes up most of how essential playoff video games are performed. Then once more, we’ve been having that argument for years, they usually simply preserve profitable.
Backside line: Hey, do you’re feeling just like the first-place crew within the league’s greatest U.S. market nonetheless one way or the other doesn’t get sufficient consideration? Guess what: You do now, so don’t assume too onerous about it.
Why it’s best to get on board: We are saying it yearly, however it stays true — if you will get previous the truth that it’s the Leafs, you’ve obtained a great crew with plenty of thrilling offensive gamers, making an attempt to snap a historic drought for one of many sports activities world’s most loyal fan bases. Keep in mind how a lot enjoyable it was when the Chicago Cubs lastly gained the World Sequence? It will be sort of like that.
Why you shouldn’t: You possibly can’t get previous the truth that it’s the Leafs. (Or you’ll be able to, however you don’t see a path out of the Atlantic for a crew with shaky goaltending and a historical past of postseason failure, which works too.)
Backside line: There are three forms of hockey followers: Unbearable Leafs followers, unbearable followers of different groups whose brains have been damaged by the Leafs and followers who can’t perceive what the massive deal is. Solely that third group is eligible right here, but when that’s you, there are worse selections. But additionally higher ones.
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re arguably the league’s finest second-half story, one way or the other turning a canceled crew outing to a live performance right into a playoff push that simply by no means stopped. They’ll be underdogs in each sequence, however have one of many league’s finest goalies so that they’ll at all times have a puncher’s probability. They employed a GM with no front-office expertise and let him make a bunch of bizarre strikes, and I believe we are able to all agree this copycat league could be extra enjoyable if different groups needed to comply with that technique.
And keep in mind, they made their solely last look in 2017 as a wild-card crew, so there’s a recent-ish precedent right here.
Why you shouldn’t: The U2 factor is cool now, however verify again within the convention last if the Predators are nonetheless round and also you’re listening to about it for the four-hundredth time.
Backside line: For the document, should you select the Predators they usually make the ultimate, you just about must take a roadie to Nashville.
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re a superb crew that’s a 12 months faraway from a record-breaking season and didn’t take a lot of a step again this 12 months regardless of shedding their beloved franchise participant to retirement. Since final 12 months ended with a stunning first-round loss, they nonetheless have loads to show and don’t really feel like an apparent front-runner choose. And whereas they’re an Authentic Six crew with all of the over-the-top pomp and circumstance that includes, they’ve gained one Cup since 1972.
Additionally, David Pastrnak wears bizarre garments to the sport typically, if that’s your factor.
Why you shouldn’t: Brad Marchand. The Jack Edwards farewell tour, which his followers will love however your mileage might differ. Pat Maroon hogging all of the Stanley Cups and by no means letting anybody else have a flip.
Backside line: Look, I’m a bitter outdated man with a coronary heart of stone, and even I really like the goalie hugs. With Linus Ullmark most likely getting traded in the summertime, wouldn’t you like to see one final hug because the Cup is being handed round?
(Verify again after the primary few video games of the Leafs sequence for my column on why goalie hugs ought to be banned.)
6. Washington Capitals
Why it’s best to get on board: You want underdogs? You don’t get a much bigger underdog than this, a minimum of within the parity period. The Capitals had been presupposed to be rebuilding, with nearly no person choosing them as a playoff crew heading into the season, and even heading into April. You solely bothered to be taught their goalie’s title two weeks in the past. They earned the final wild-card spot on their season’s last night time, regardless of shedding extra video games than they gained and posting the worst objectives differential on any postseason crew since 1991. Their reward for all that might be a matchup with the Rangers, in a sequence no person will assume they’ll win. MoneyPuck has them with 0 p.c Cup odds, which I’m undecided I’ve ever seen earlier than. In the event you imagine in no guts no glory, that is your crew. Do it. Do it!
Why you shouldn’t: They’re not good.
Backside line: Oh calm down, Capitals followers, you realize it’s true. And it doesn’t matter as a result of all of the common season is for is getting in. They’re in. Now something can occur, and that’s the great thing about it. DO IT!
(You possibly can choose a brand new crew after they’re out by subsequent weekend, it’s wonderful.)
Why it’s best to get on board: They had been my prime choose final 12 months, and never a lot has modified since. If something, the Zach Hyman story may make them much more likable. Aside from that, return and skim final 12 months’s piece, all of the arguments just about nonetheless apply.
Why you shouldn’t: They added Corey Perry to a crew that already consists of Evander Kane, so that they’re clearly in “something goes so long as we win” mode. That’s not essentially a foul place to be should you’re a die-hard fan, however it may give bandwagoners some pause.
Backside line: You deserve somewhat little bit of cheering for Connor McDavid as an alternative of being frightened of him, as a deal with.
Why it’s best to get on board: They’ve spent all 12 months as among the finest groups within the league, however no person outdoors of Vancouver appears to really assume they’re good, which means you get the uncommon alternative to bandwagon a prime contender whereas additionally taking part in the “no person believes in us” card. Past that, the Canucks are only a flat-out enjoyable crew, with all types of firepower and a few fascinating characters. And at 54 years and counting with out a Cup, it’s honest to say they’re due.
Why you shouldn’t: Canucks followers have been ready perpetually for a Cup, they usually’ve been via some official heartbreak alongside the best way, so in the event that they ever do get there, they might not take kindly to any bandwagon followers making an attempt to crowd in on their glory. That’s cheap, and a part of being a great bandwagon fan is understanding your home, however preserve it in thoughts.
Backside line: Wait, 54 years with out a Cup? Didn’t another crew have a well-known drought like that, one which ended in opposition to … the Canucks? That crew might even be the favourite to be ready for the Canucks within the last. This looks like destiny lining up, proper? Oh man, I believe I simply spoiled this 12 months’s playoffs, sorry everybody …
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Why it’s best to get on board: As a result of the highest of those rankings is actually Western Convention heavy, and let’s be trustworthy, no person actually needs to remain up that late.
Oh, and in addition the Hurricanes are an excellent crew, fairly presumably the very best within the convention. They’ve enjoyable gamers, are well-coached and have a forward-thinking entrance workplace. In addition they have among the finest Previous Man With out A Cup tales of the 12 months in Brent Burns, and an inspiring comeback from Frederik Andersen.
Why you shouldn’t: In some unspecified time in the future, Rod Brind’Amour goes to say one thing that’s going to make you’re feeling dangerous about your exercise habits.
Backside line: Additionally, a Hurricanes championship would make Montreal followers mad, which is a plus.
2. Winnipeg Jets
Why it’s best to get on board: One 12 months in the past, all of us figured they had been accomplished for, an inevitable rebuild beginning years too late. Immediately, they’re ending off a incredible season, they’ve the presumptive Vezina winner in web, they had been aggressive on the deadline and their coach is the last word OGWAC. And so they’re doing all of it in entrance of among the finest fan bases within the league, one which has a super-cool playoff custom however has by no means seen their Jets get previous the third spherical, and oh yeah, had no crew in any respect for 16 lengthy years.
Additionally, and Jets followers may not like me mentioning this however it must be mentioned: All of your favourite gamers have the Jets on their no-trade checklist. That implies that the Jets are constructing a contender with one hand tied behind their again. A deep run could be further spectacular underneath these circumstances, and it may also change a number of minds.
Why you shouldn’t: They most likely must undergo Colorado and Dallas to get out of the Central, which is sort of presumably the ugliest playoff path that any crew within the league is going through. There’s an excellent probability this ends each badly and shortly.
Backside line: Oh, and the franchise itself is at risk. However don’t let that guilt you into something, go forward and cheer for them to lose their crew once more, it’s not prefer it makes you a foul individual.
1. Dallas Stars
Why it’s best to get on board: They’re an extremely expert and entertaining crew, they’ve an excellent shot at profitable the Stanley Cup, they haven’t gained this century so it’s not fairly a front-runner choose, and Joe Pavelski often is the single finest OGWAC story within the league. Combine in alternate-OGWAC Ryan Suter, plus Matt Duchene’s comeback season, plus Mason Marchment making an attempt to win the Cup that eluded his late father, plus not one however two enjoyable rookie tales, and the Stars are simply in regards to the good bandwagon choose.
Why you shouldn’t: They’ve been recognized to cheat to win the Stanley Cup, or so it has been defined to me. Additionally, they had been my choose to win each in October and earlier this week, so in the event that they do then I’ll be much more unbearable than typical.
Backside line: The Stars have a lot going for them that it’s nearly annoying, which I suppose may be a purpose to activate them. However there’s no purpose to overthink this one — in a league with a handful of very stable choices, the Stars are the very best of the bunch.
(Picture of Mark Stone and Connor McDavid: Ethan Miller / Getty Pictures)