Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the NHL is proposing to finish out the season in different locations, choosing four NHL arenas, one from each division. With that being the case, and the contributors here at Drive4Five being well-traveled, I asked them to talk about some of the different NHL arenas they have visited over the years.
Logistically speaking, the New York-Metropolitan area would seem like the easiest place to meet those ends. The league has four NHL arenas (Nassau Coliseum, Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, and Prudential Center) within 50 miles of each other, and all of these arenas also have hotels within a walking distance. Despite this being the obvious solution normally, New York City has become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotiabank Arena, Home of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto and able to hold almost 20,000 people, Scotiabank Arena is one of the largest NHL arenas. Alongside the fans inside the arena, thousands more take in the game outside in Maple Leaf Gardens.
Drive4Five contributor Jared Flax spoke of the Maple Leafs’ home arena, saying that “The atmosphere was unreal,” and “Fans are so passionate and it’s so loud in there.”
Before games, fans pass the Canadian flag around the lower bowl during the national anthem, and they have projectors that can play videos on the ice surface. Outside the arena, Legends Row displays 14 life-sized statues of Maple Leafs legends situated in front of a granite “players bench.”

Nationwide Arena, Home of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Nationwide Arena, and all arenas throughout the state of Ohio, were permitted to host sporting events without fans at the time of the NHL’s pause in the season. An empty game there would be sad considering the praise the arena has gotten.
Flax spoke highly of the arena and the entire Blue Jackets fanbase. He said the fans there are some of the most loyal he’s seen. The Blue Jackets have referred to their fans as “The 5th Line”, suggesting that they’re just as a part of the team as the other four. They also tend to go ecstatic when the cannon goes off after a Blue Jackets goal.
“When I say this arena is beautiful, that’s an understatement,” Flax said.  “Being one of the newer buildings in the league, Nationwide Arena is beautifully built and looks like it was opened yesterday.”
The arena was actually opened in 2000 and holds close to 18,500 people at a hockey game.

T-Mobile Arena, Home of the Vegas Golden Knights

Since the Golden Knights began playing in 2018, Las Vegas evolved into the unlikeliest of hockey cities. The team has fed off its city from day one to provide an unparalleled fan experience. Both David Lazar and Matthew Page spoke about the NHL’s newest city.
“Vegas is the peak of NHL arenas,” said Lazar.  The state of the art T-Mobile Arena has concourses outside the stadium where fans are treated to performers and food trucks and is also located in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, between the Park MGM and the New York-New York.
“Being in Sin City fuels the time you spend there, with the bustling strip containing various shops, resort areas, and restaurants to see and enjoy,” said Page.
It gets better inside. Behind one of the goals stands “the castle,” where the team’s drummers play before home games. It is also where some celebrity guests sound the siren before puck drop.  What could be better than exciting hockey in an exciting city?

Wells Fargo Center, Home of the Philadelphia Flyers

When Jared Flax spoke about Wells Fargo Center, he had high praise for the in-game atmosphere.
“Fans are so passionate, it’s insane.” Flax said.
The arena was completed in 1996 and has undergone four name changes, and just recently installed a new 4k kinetic scoreboard. What the scoreboard doesn’t always capture, though, is the action in the stands.
“The fans take after the Broad Street Bullies by bullying any opposing fan base with any chance they get,” said Flax. A ferocious atmosphere with a team that’s on the rise should be scary for any opposing fan willing to make the trip.

Amalie Arena, Home of the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been playing at Amalie (or one of its three previous names) since the arena was completed in 1996.
Page stated that “The Lightning have done a great job keeping it modern and one of the best in hockey.”
Similar to T-Mobile Arena in Vegas, the arena has a plaza filled with music and countless activities. Phil Esposito’s statue stands in front of the arena. As a co-founder of the team, he was instrumental in bringing hockey to western Florida.
The team is proud of its history, as the concourse is full of exhibits featuring information about the history of the Lightning.
“Once in your seats, the sight-lines are beautiful,” Page said. The arena is known for the tesla coils that create fake lightning when the home team takes the ice and scores. “Add that with a passionate fanbase… and this is a great venue to take in an NHL game.”
As I was collecting these stories about different NHL arenas, I was reminded of how amazing our sport is. Hopefully, soon each team will get to play home games again in front of sellout crowds, providing families with memories that will last a lifetime, but until then, we can only hope to watch our favorite athletes from the safety of our homes.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.