Home sweet home.
Unless you're the Toronto Maple Leafs in the past few seasons, that is, because home has been anything but sweet for them or their fans.
It is no secret that the most successful teams in the NHL are lethal on home ice, and a great home record often is your ticket to the playoffs. They call it an advantage for a reason.
Your home city. Your home crowd. You don't have to worry about uncomfortable hotel beds the night before a game. Bed bugs, anyone?
Last season, the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals were a mind-boggling 30-5-6 at the Verizon Center, while every other playoff team was above .500.
Teams cringe just thinking about that goal siren sounding and the crowd going insane. It's not just the players on the ice who make the difference, it's that winning atmosphere that has visiting teams leaving with their tails tucked tightly between their legs.
Of the 16 playoff teams last season, just two (Boston and Los Angeles) had a better road record than home record.
It's clear that when you can take advantage of the 41 games each season that your team plays in your home ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jon Neely
Toronto Maple Leafs: Why Home Ice Needs To Be Sweeter if Team Wants Success
November 24th, 2010 by Jon Neely Leave a reply »
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