Playoff Passion: How the Lightning, Jets, and Stars Are Engaging Their Communities
This past weekend marked the beginning of the most exciting time of the year for hockey fans, the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The race to 16 wins is officially on, and the first-round matchups are already producing intense action on the ice. As the playoffs unfold, several compelling storylines are set to take center stage: Who will come out on top in the first Battle of Ontario in 20 years? Can the Panthers bring the Stanley Cup back to Florida? Will Winnipeg be able to carry their regular season momentum into the postseason?
While the answers remain to be seen, one thing is clear, playoff teams are going all-in on fan-first activations and community events to make this postseason unforgettable. In this article, we’ll explore how the Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets, and Dallas Stars are each putting their unique spin on fan engagement during this playoff run.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Letters to the Team
Presented by Advent Health and the YMCA, the Tampa Bay Lightning are inviting fans to show their support in a personal and impactful way. Through the “Letters to the Team” program, fans can write, design, or create messages wishing the Bolts good luck as they head into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Selected letters will be proudly displayed in the locker room tunnel at Amalie Arena, offering a heartfelt boost of encouragement to players, coaches, and staff as they take the ice.
This initiative is a standout example of meaningful fan engagement, fostering a genuine connection between the team and its community—especially young Bolts fans. It’s also a seamless fit for Advent Health and the YMCA, two partners with a strong commitment to youth development and wellness in the Tampa area. By combining creativity, emotion, and community spirit, the Lightning continue to raise the bar with thoughtful, fan-first experiences that bring the playoffs to life in a memorable way.
And with a tough first-round matchup against the Panthers, the team will need every bit of that fan support as they battle for playoff glory.
Winnipeg Jets - Whiteout Street Parties Giving Back
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets are looking to carry their regular season momentum into the playoffs, and they’re counting on their fans to help fuel the run. Known for their iconic Whiteout Street Parties and for turning Canada Life Centre into one of the loudest arenas in the league, Jets fans are once again rising to the occasion this postseason.
This year, fans are returning to the historic Donald Street, where 5,000 people will gather each game to celebrate the Jets’ 2025 playoff run just outside the heart of the action at Canada Life Centre. These Whiteout Street Parties will be ticketed events, with $5 from each $10 ticket reinvested into the community through United Way Winnipeg. The funds support local agencies focused on addressing homelessness, addiction, and mental health, a powerful way to bring the city together while making a lasting impact. To date, more than $312,000 has been raised through these playoff celebrations to provide critical support across Winnipeg.
Not only do these parties energize the downtown core and support local businesses, they also serve a deeper purpose. By turning the passion of game day into meaningful community impact, the Jets are showing that playoff hockey in Winnipeg is about more than just wins, it’s about coming together as a city and giving back.
You can learn more about the Jets playoff plans here!
Dallas Stars - Lawn Signs
The Dallas Stars are back in the playoffs, aiming for another deep run on their quest for the Stanley Cup. As excitement builds across Texas, the team is offering fans a bold and creative way to show their support: official Dallas Stars Yard Signs.
These signs allow fans to proudly display their team spirit right from their front yards, turning neighborhoods into vibrant seas of green and victory gold. Whether you're a longtime supporter in Dallas or a new fan from another part of Texas, it's a fun, visible way to unite behind the Stars this postseason.
What makes this initiative even more impactful is that proceeds from each yard sign benefit the Dallas Stars Foundation, which supports youth hockey, health and education programs, and community initiatives across the region. Signs are available for purchase online, at Drive-Thru Rallies, and at official Dallas Stars Playoff Watch Parties — making it easy for fans to get involved and showcase their pride.
I love this activation because it offers a truly unique way for fans to support their team directly within their local communities. With Dallas being the only team in Texas, it creates a powerful collective sense of pride as fans rally around the Stars. While this activation might not be as easily transferable to other hockey markets (imagine an Ottawa Senators yard sign in a Toronto neighborhood!) It's exciting to see how this initiative will grow and how the Dallas area will come together to cheer on the Stars this season.
Final Thoughts
As the Stanley Cup Playoffs unfold, the intensity on the ice is matched only by the passion of the fans, with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets, and Dallas Stars at the forefront of creating memorable fan engagement experiences. These teams are ensuring that this postseason is about more than just competition, it’s about building meaningful connections with their communities. These fan-first initiatives showcase the unique power of sports to unite people in support of their team, all while making a lasting impact.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, and I wish you and your team the best of luck throughout the playoffs!