Stanley Cup Playoff arenas have unique features

The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs begins Monday, and all 16 arenas will be packed with fans in the coming weeks.

Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken, and UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, will each host playoff games for the first time, and Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils, will host a postseason game for the first time since 2018.  

In addition to the excitement the playoffs bring, each arena has a unique feature that will make the games more special. 

NHL.com is taking a look at one special in-arena feature from each of the 16 teams who made the playoffs (in alphabetical order by team):

Boston Bruins

See that flag waving up in the stands at TD Garden? The person waving it is famous or notable in Boston or beyond. Before every game, the Bruins bring in someone important, whether it’s Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots or AJ Quetta, a local high school hockey player who sustained a spinal cord injury, to serve as the flag captain. We’ve seen Olympians, Celtics and Bruins greats, like Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr. Who will wave the banners this season? You’ll have to tune in to find out. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Carolina Hurricanes 

Tailgating remains a signature event for Hurricanes fans, but the warm weather and the Stanley Cup Playoffs take things to another level at PNC Arena. Thousands of fans show up hours before a game to grill, set up street hockey nets and party. Even the Hurricanes players acknowledge that the tents, tunes and signs help dial up the excitement when they arrive at the arena. — Kurt Dusterberg, independent correspondent

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche have a playoff tradition dating back to Day 1 of their first postseason in 1996, the year they won their first Stanley Cup: white pom-poms. When Colorado scores, an actual avalanche of 18,000-plus fans thrashing and crashing their pom-poms bring Ball Arena to life as cheers rain down onto the ice. It’s as close to the force of nature as one can get without risking their life, and it’s a tradition that’s here to stay. — Ryan Boulding, independent correspondent 

Dallas Stars

Nothing says you’ve arrived at a Stars game like the shouting of “STARS!” and the pumping of fists on the word during the national anthem. But keep your ears open, or that second appearance of the word will sneak up on you. The musical connection doesn’t stop there. From Pantera’s “Puck Off,” which was written just for the Stars and plays after a goal is scored, to sing-a-longs to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, a game at American Airlines Center is bound to have a little something for everyone. — Taylor Baird, independent correspondent 

Edmonton Oilers

Rogers Place may not get as deafening as its predecessor Rexall Place due to its design, but fans still create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams in the playoffs. The completion of the Ice District surrounding the downtown arena saw the creation of an outdoor plaza…