The playoffs are nearly right here, and whereas we’re nonetheless ready on a few matchups, we 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 just a little 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 received to determine who to root for over the approaching weeks and months. You possibly can skip that half completely, in fact, and simply benefit from the playoffs as a impartial observer. You possibly can hate-watch your workforce’s rivals. Or you could possibly decide and select, dropping out and in of whichever collection appears good and cheering on whoever appears like the fitting alternative within the second.
These are all legitimate choices. However there’s one other, and it’s a considerably controversial one: You possibly can decide a bandwagon workforce 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 workforce for so long as it may possibly final. And when your workforce will get knocked out, you may really feel dangerous for 10 minutes earlier than shrugging and shifting on to another person.
In the event you’re contemplating a bandwagon workforce, I’ve received you coated. Right here’s my annual take a look at all 16 playoff groups, ranked from the worst bandwagon choices to the perfect.
Why you must 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 traditional front-running, in spite of everything, and the rarity of repeat champions within the cap period means that it’s additionally often futile. So yeah, basically, don’t root for the defending champ.
However these explicit champs? Come on. Everybody hates the Golden Knights, the too-much-too-soon growth workforce that received’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 all the time a enjoyable decide for a selected kind of bandwagon fan again once they had been the brand new guys nonetheless making an attempt to defy custom and buck the percentages. However now that they’ve received, this can be the simplest rating within the historical past of this column.
Why you must get on board: It’s all the time enjoyable to select a wild card that goes on a run, and the Lightning appear like an inexpensive wager to do exactly that. And the narrative of the previous champs making an attempt to get again to the highest of the mountain yet another time earlier than all of it crumbles is one you could possibly get behind.
Why you shouldn’t: Actually, what’s the best-case state of affairs right here? The Lightning pull off an upset or two, possibly even go all the way in which to the ultimate, and … congratulations, you’re bandwagoning a workforce that’s already been there thrice in 4 years. It’s all the danger of selecting a wild-card workforce, 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 concept of an MVP-level wizard who may also come throughout as form of a jerk generally.
Why you must 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 exceptional for groups just like the Kings to emerge as contenders, and once they do everybody else is often only a bit too late to determine what they’re watching. You possibly can be the one who already had their seat on the bandwagon.
Why you shouldn’t: The Kings peaked early, received some consideration after which pale within the second half earlier than ending sturdy, so that they match the profile of a workforce that in all probability 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 workforce in Dallas or Edmonton is probably not your thought 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 listing some yr quickly, however that yr shouldn’t be this one.
Why you must 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 previous GM. No one is selecting them to win something and their followers understand it, so in case you like a very good “us in opposition to the world” story then you might have discovered your non permanent dwelling.
Why you shouldn’t: We received’t escape the dreaded “b” phrase, however we’ll level out that no playoff workforce aside from Washington scores lower than the Islanders, and their ticket to a future in all probability entails driving their goaltending to a bunch of low-scoring wins. Selecting this workforce to bandwagon would really feel just a bit like having a cheat day in your weight-reduction plan 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 important to get a Denis Potvin jersey. Simply maintain that in thoughts.
Why you must get on board: They’re an excellent workforce with loads of star gamers, together with the probably MVP. And after final yr’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 remaining stretch, that means they’ll begin the playoffs on the street in opposition to an excellent Jets workforce in a collection that’s mainly a coin flip. And since they received all of it in 2022, you don’t even get any underdog factors for choosing them.
Backside line: For sheer enjoyable issue, this roster is fairly stacked. But it surely’s a little bit of a front-runner decide mixed with a tricky first matchup.
Why you must get on board: They had been the highest decide for the 2022 listing, and an terrible lot of what we mentioned again then nonetheless holds. They’re a enjoyable workforce, they’ve by no means received a Cup, and their followers have needed to cope with limitless negativity over the previous few many years. Heck, they’d in all probability even welcome some bandwagon love. Oh, they usually’re actually good, having adopted up a 2022 Presidents’ Trophy with a run to final yr’s remaining.
Why you shouldn’t: A couple of weeks in the past I attempted to promote you on the Panthers as the NHL’s new workforce 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 following few weeks that you just’ll should 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 you must get on board: They’re the most effective workforce within the league, no less than in line with their common season file, 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 could possibly do so much worse than a giant market with a terrific goalie and plenty of star energy that can get a ton of protection.
Why you shouldn’t: The Rangers have been an enchanting workforce to observe this yr, with no less than some statistical proof displaying that they is probably not pretty much as good as their file 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 maintain profitable.
Backside line: Hey, do you are feeling just like the first-place workforce within the league’s largest U.S. market nonetheless in some way doesn’t get sufficient consideration? Guess what: You do now, so don’t assume too onerous about it.
Why you must get on board: We are saying it yearly, but it surely stays true — if you will get previous the truth that it’s the Leafs, you’ve received a very good workforce with numerous 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 received the World Sequence? It could be form of like that.
Why you shouldn’t: You possibly can’t get previous the truth that it’s the Leafs. (Or you may, however you don’t see a path out of the Atlantic for a workforce with shaky goaltending and a historical past of postseason failure, which works too.)
Backside line: There are three kinds 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 in addition higher ones.
Why you must get on board: They’re arguably the league’s finest second-half story, in some way turning a canceled workforce outing to a live performance right into a playoff push that simply by no means stopped. They’ll be underdogs in each collection, however have one of many league’s finest goalies so that they’ll all the time 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 will all agree this copycat league could be extra enjoyable if different groups needed to comply with that technique.
And bear in mind, they made their solely remaining look in 2017 as a wild-card workforce, 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 remaining if the Predators are nonetheless round and also you’re listening to about it for the four-hundredth time.
Backside line: For the file, in case you select the Predators they usually make the ultimate, you just about should take a roadie to Nashville.
Why you must get on board: They’re a wonderful workforce that’s a yr faraway from a record-breaking season and didn’t take a lot of a step again this yr regardless of dropping their beloved franchise participant to retirement. Since final yr ended with a surprising first-round loss, they nonetheless have loads to show and don’t really feel like an apparent front-runner decide. And whereas they’re an Authentic Six workforce with all of the over-the-top pomp and circumstance that entails, they’ve received one Cup since 1972.
Additionally, David Pastrnak wears bizarre garments to the sport generally, if that’s your factor.
Why you shouldn’t: Brad Marchand. The Jack Edwards farewell tour, which his followers will love however your mileage could fluctuate. 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 previous man with a coronary heart of stone, and even I really like the goalie hugs. With Linus Ullmark in all probability getting traded in the summertime, wouldn’t you like to see one final hug because the Cup is being handed round?
(Examine again after the primary few video games of the Leafs collection for my column on why goalie hugs ought to be banned.)
6. Washington Capitals
Why you must get on board: You want underdogs? You don’t get an even bigger underdog than this, no less than within the parity period. The Capitals had been presupposed to be rebuilding, with nearly no one selecting them as a playoff workforce heading into the season, and even heading into April. You solely bothered to be taught their goalie’s identify two weeks in the past. They earned the final wild-card spot on their season’s remaining evening, regardless of dropping extra video games than they received and posting the worst objectives differential on any postseason workforce since 1991. Their reward for all that can be a matchup with the Rangers, in a collection no one will assume they’ll win. MoneyPuck has them with 0 p.c Cup odds, which I’m unsure I’ve ever seen earlier than. In the event you imagine in no guts no glory, that is your workforce. Do it. Do it!
Why you shouldn’t: They’re not good.
Backside line: Oh calm down, Capitals followers, you already know 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 decide a brand new workforce once they’re out by subsequent weekend, it’s high-quality.)
Why you must get on board: They had been my high decide final yr, and never a lot has modified since. If something, the Zach Hyman story would possibly make them much more likable. Apart from that, return and browse final yr’s piece, all of the arguments just about nonetheless apply.
Why you shouldn’t: They added Corey Perry to a workforce that already contains Evander Kane, so that they’re clearly in “something goes so long as we win” mode. That’s not essentially a nasty place to be in case you’re a die-hard fan, but it surely would possibly give bandwagoners some pause.
Backside line: You deserve just a little little bit of cheering for Connor McDavid as a substitute of being petrified of him, as a deal with.
Why you must get on board: They’ve spent all yr as among the best groups within the league, however no one outdoors of Vancouver appears to truly assume they’re good, that means you get the uncommon alternative to bandwagon a high contender whereas additionally taking part in the “no one believes in us” card. Past that, the Canucks are only a flat-out enjoyable workforce, with all kinds of firepower and a few attention-grabbing 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 by way of some legit heartbreak alongside the way in which, so in the event that they ever do get there, they could 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 very good bandwagon fan is figuring out your house, however maintain it in thoughts.
Backside line: Wait, 54 years with out a Cup? Didn’t another workforce have a well-known drought like that, one which ended in opposition to … the Canucks? That workforce might even be the favourite to be ready for the Canucks within the remaining. This appears like destiny lining up, proper? Oh man, I believe I simply spoiled this yr’s playoffs, sorry everybody …
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Why you must get on board: As a result of the highest of those rankings is admittedly Western Convention heavy, and let’s be trustworthy, no one actually needs to remain up that late.
Oh, and in addition the Hurricanes are an excellent workforce, fairly presumably the most effective within the convention. They’ve enjoyable gamers, are well-coached and have a forward-thinking entrance workplace. Additionally they have among the best Outdated Man With out A Cup tales of the yr 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 are 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 you must get on board: One yr in the past, all of us figured they had been performed for, an inevitable rebuild beginning years too late. In the present day, they’re ending off a unbelievable season, they’ve the presumptive Vezina winner in internet, they had been aggressive on the deadline and their coach is the final word OGWAC. They usually’re doing all of it in entrance of among the best 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 workforce in any respect for 16 lengthy years.
Additionally, and Jets followers won’t like me mentioning this but it surely must be mentioned: All of your favourite gamers have the Jets on their no-trade listing. That implies that the Jets are constructing a contender with one hand tied behind their again. A deep run could be additional spectacular underneath these circumstances, and it may also change a number of minds.
Why you shouldn’t: They in all probability should undergo Colorado and Dallas to get out of the Central, which is kind of presumably the ugliest playoff path that any workforce within the league is dealing with. 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 workforce once more, it’s not prefer it makes you a nasty particular person.
1. Dallas Stars
Why you must get on board: They’re an extremely expert and entertaining workforce, they’ve an excellent shot at profitable the Stanley Cup, they haven’t received this century so it’s not fairly a front-runner decide, and Joe Pavelski would be 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 excellent bandwagon decide.
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 decide 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 is also a cause to activate them. However there’s no cause to overthink this one — in a league with a handful of very strong choices, the Stars are the most effective of the bunch.
(Photograph of Mark Stone and Connor McDavid: Ethan Miller / Getty Photos)
