The Montreal Canadiens are the only Canadian NHL team in the 2014 NHL playoffs, but that doesn’t mean all of Canada is rooting for them to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.
According to a Facebook study, Canadians’ loyalties lie strongest for the Habs in 10 provinces and territories, but Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories are cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins to win it all this year.
The Canadiens are featured in the playoffs’ first game, versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday on CBC. Sidney Crosby’s Penguins are getting the prime-time Saturday-night Hockey Night in Canada treatment in the opening round.
The results were determined by which official Facebook team page racked up the most likes from people who reside in that state or province.
Stateside, geographic support for the 16 playoff teams is — no surprise — much more varied:
Some of the survey’s more compelling discoveries? The Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, two strong Cup contenders, do not have a plurality of fans in any state or province. San Jose has won over California.
The Chicago Blackhawks, an Original Six club, have the most fans by territory, with a plurality of fans in 10 states. Funny how Chiacgo fans have Missouri surrounded as a first-round Blues-Blackhawks series gets underway this week.
With their north-of the-border support, the Penguins follow the Blackhawks with a plurality of fans in nine areas (two provinces, one territory and six states); they also win the Battle of Pennsylvania: Facebook Edition.
Detroit Red Wings fandom stretches from the far reaches of the map (Datsyuk is huge in Alaska!) to the deep South. And the swath of middle-state support for the Colorado Avalanche is also impressive.
