The Most Popular NHL Teams by County

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Most Popular NHL Teams

The NHL is back in all its glory, and so are the fans.  

As the NHL 2022-23 season kicks off, Vivid Seats explores America’s rooting interests by identifying the most popular NHL team in each US county.  

The Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues are the most popular NHL teams in the country by county, according to a map powered by Vivid Seats NHL ticket sales data from 2018 to present day. 

The Predators have developed a solid fan base over the past few years, with the bulk of their popularity coming from Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

The Dallas Stars check in at No. 2 with 271 counties, followed by the St. Louis Blues at 263 counties. The Colorado Avalanche (259) and the Minnesota Wild (245) round out the top five. 

View the map below to explore the most popular NHL teams by state and by county: 

The Kraken Make Their Mark

Since the Seattle Kraken made their debut at the Climate Pledge Arena in 2021, their fan base has grown in popularity in the Evergreen State and beyond. In total, 21 counties root for the Kraken, with fans concentrated around the Seattle-area.

NorCal vs. SoCal 

From the MLB to the NFL, NorCal and SoCal have their fair share of inner-state sports rivalries. In the NHL, the San Jose Sharks dominate California with 41 counties rooting for the Sharks. NHL allegiances in SoCal are divided with five counties rooting for the Los Angeles Kings and four counties rooting for the Anaheim Ducks. 

Mixed Up Allegiances

The counties of Montana, Idaho and Oregon have an eclectic NHL rooting interest (and no NHL team of its own). Near the Montana-Canada border, Glacier County, Lincoln County and Toole County favor the Calgary Flames. To their immediate south, Sanders County and Pondera County favor the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Battle of Pennsylvania 

Although the Philadelphia Flyers dominated the Pittsburgh Penguins in early matchups, the Penguins-Flyers rivalry has become one of the fiercest in the NHL. The Penguins fan base dominates the state with 38 counties rooting for the Penguins and 23 counties rooting for the Flyers. The Buffalo Sabres also claim four counties along the Pennsylvania-New York border.

The Most Loyal Fans

These teams enjoy a 100 percent share of their home state's counties:

• Boston Bruins
• Colorado Avalanche
• Detroit Red Wings
• Nashville Predators

Of these fan bases, only the Bruins and Red Wings were a part of the NHL's Original Six era before the league's expansion. 

Top 5 Must-See 2022-23 NHL Games

For the third time in the last four seasons, the Boston Bruins are getting to take part in an outdoor game. According to Vivid Seats ticket sales data, the 2023 Winter Classic game between the Penguins and the Bruins is the most anticipated NHL game of the season.  

Check out some of the other most anticipated matchups this season: 

• $409 - (NHL Winter Classic) Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins on 1/2/2023
• $319 - (NHL Stadium Series) Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes on 2/18/2023
• $258 - Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche on 10/12/2022 
• $239 - New York Islanders at New York Rangers on 12/22/2022
• $221 - Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins on 11/25/2022

Top 5 Hottest NHL Teams

As the 2022-23 NHL season kicks off, here are the top 5 hottest NHL teams based on average ticket price: 

1. Arizona Coyotes 
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Boston Bruins 
4. Winnipeg Jets
5. Vegas Golden Knights 

Buy NHL Tickets and Get Rewarded

Every time you shop for NHL tickets, you’ll also earn Rewards Credit with Vivid Seats Rewards. Buy 10 tickets, get the 11th on us.* 

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