Finding a Western Conference team to cheer for is a little more open for Lightning fans than the Eastern Conference. Since they meet rarely in the regular seasons, never in the playoffs and have little interaction even among the trade front, it’s hard to get a gauge on who is the most “Lightning friendly”.
Therefore, this will be more of a generic breakdown of each team.
*Note – the “Ex-Lightning Players” list contains players that played at least one game for the team this season, they are not necessarily on the post-season roster.
8. St. Louis
Ex-Lightning Players: No players have played for the Lightning.
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: A Stanley Cup for a team that fired its coach in November after a lackluster 6-7 start would be impressive. If they were to make it to the finals against the Rangers, then the John Tortorella “Shut Your Yap” press conference will be played over and over. Rooting for the Blues is rooting for team hockey. No player on the team had more than 24 goals or 54 points yet they still finished with the second best record in the Western Conference.
7. Los Angeles
Ex-Lightning Players: No players have played for the Lightning.
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: If you’re a fan of goaltenders then this is the team for you. Jonathan Quick has carried the team on his back the entire regular season. If there is any goalie left in the playoffs that can do the same for his team in the postseason it’s him. Imagine how Flyers fans will feel if Jeff Carter and Mike Richards win a Cup with the Kings. Plus, the longer they’re in the playoffs, the more Bill Simmons is forced to write about hockey.
6. Chicago
Ex-Lightning Players: No players have played for the Lightning.
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: They are an Original Six team. Jonathon Toews (hopefully healthy) and Patrick Kane are two fun players to watch. If the Hawks win with Corey Crawford and Ray Emory in net then the idea that teams need a big time goaltender to win a Stanley Cup might be forever shattered.
5. Nashville
Ex- Lightning Players: No players have played for the Lightning.
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: They are a hard working team that doesn’t have a prominent superstar on the roster. Despite not having a lot of big names they are a fairly complete team that plays a tough style of hockey that will make them hard to beat in the playoffs. Plus, small-market, southern-based teams always seem to be underdogs and underdogs are fun to root for.
4. Vancouver
Ex-Lightning Players: No players have played for the Lightning.
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: Like Ottawa, having the Cup return to Canada would make for a nice storyline. The Canucks are among the favorites even with Daniel Sedin questionable and the question mark that will surround Roberto Luongo until he wins the big game.
3. San Jose
Ex-Lightning Players: Dan Boyle, Dominic Moore
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: Of all the Western Conference teams, San Jose probably needs a Stanley Cup the most. Year after year of disappointing postseasons have the fan base wondering if they can make it over the hump.
2. Detroit
Ex-Lightning Players: Drew Miller, Kyle Quincy (at least on paper), Doug Janik
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: Steve Yzerman not only played for them, but he also learned his current trade at the foot of Ken Holland. If the Lightning are looking to emulate any organization it would be Detroit. The Red Wings also have some of the best offensive talent outside of the Eastern Conference in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
1. Phoenix
Former Lightning Players: Radim Vrbata, Daymond Langkow, Adrian Aucoin, Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Mike Smith
Lightning Playoff History: They have never met in the playoffs.
Reasons to Root for them: Other than the vast amount of former Lightning players that have suited up for them, there are several other reasons to root for them as well. They are a sunbelt team, they are constantly being mentioned in relocation rumors (as were the Lightning prior to the Vinik era) and no one is giving them a chance. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to see Mike Smith win a few games in the playoffs?
