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NHL Teams, Players Look to Hit Right Chord with Victory Song
From disco anthems to rock classics, having the right postgame tune is key to success
Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:00am
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The vibrant, fractured visuals of a Picasso-inspired painting capture the raw energy and emotion of NHL teams celebrating their hard-fought victories through the lens of their unique victory songs.NYC TodayNHL teams are putting a lot of thought into their postgame victory songs, with some switching up their tunes to change the vibe and others sticking with longtime favorites that have become part of their team culture. The article explores the stories behind various teams' song choices, from the Edmonton Oilers' switch to 'Staying Alive' to the St. Louis Blues' iconic 'Gloria' anthem.
Why it matters
Postgame victory songs have become an integral part of NHL team culture, helping to build camaraderie, celebrate wins, and set the tone for the locker room. The songs chosen often have special meaning or connections to the team, players, or fans, making them an important tradition that can impact a team's energy and morale throughout the season.
The details
The article details the victory song choices of several NHL teams, including the Edmonton Oilers switching from 'Focus' to 'Staying Alive,' the St. Louis Blues' long-running tradition of playing 'Gloria' after wins, and the Columbus Blue Jackets changing from 'Gin and Juice' to 'Mundian to Bach Ke.' Other teams featured include the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and more. The process of selecting the songs is also explored, with players and staff often collaborating to find the perfect tune to get the team pumped up after a victory.
- In January 2019, some St. Louis Blues players heard 'Gloria' by Laura Branigan in a bar during a road trip to Philadelphia.
- The next night, the Blues beat the Flyers in goalie Jordan Binnington's NHL debut and they never looked back, going on to win the Stanley Cup while playing 'Gloria' after each victory.
- 'La Bamba' became the Oilers' go-to song in the 2021-22 season in honor of their late dressing room attendant Joey Moss, who died in 2020.
- Ben Stetler, an Oilers superfan who encouraged the team to 'Play La Bamba, baby' after each win during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, passed away on August 9, 2022 at age 6 after battling glioblastoma.
The players
Kasperi Kapanen
An Edmonton Oilers forward who said the team switched to playing 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees after wins, feeling it fit their situation of trying to 'stay alive' and play well.
Darnell Nurse
An Edmonton Oilers defenseman who, along with Kapanen, thought the 'Staying Alive' song would be a good fit for the team.
Jordan Binnington
The St. Louis Blues goaltender who made his NHL debut in the game where the team first played 'Gloria' by Laura Branigan after their win, starting a tradition that continued through their Stanley Cup championship run.
Joey Moss
The late Edmonton Oilers dressing room attendant whose favorite song was 'La Bamba,' which the team began playing after wins in the 2021-22 season to honor him.
Ben Stetler
An Oilers superfan who encouraged the team to 'Play La Bamba, baby' after each win during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, before passing away from brain cancer at age 6 in August 2022.
What they’re saying
“Me and Doc (defenseman Darnell Nurse) thought it would fit the situation pretty well right now, just trying to stay alive and we've been playing well since. So hopefully it's going to stick.”
— Kasperi Kapanen, Edmonton Oilers forward
“You can't go wrong with (Cash). He's a legend and it's a classic. (The remix) is new this year.”
— Nazem Kadri, Former Calgary Flames forward
“It's just kind of a catchy, feel-good kind of tune. I like a little bit of everything, but I definitely enjoy country. Hopefully we hear it more down the stretch.”
— Sam Lafferty, Chicago Blackhawks forward
“It was just a general consensus that it was a good win song. We had it last year, so, we kept it going.”
— A.J. Greer, Florida Panthers forward
“It's fitting for a few of the themes of our season. (Kyle) found it and it's perfect for us. It's got a good little beat, it's fun and it's one of those songs that, it's not overplayed anywhere. It definitely feels like it's ours. It's a tough thing to pick, and winning helps make it even better.”
— Anders Lee, New York Islanders forward
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
Postgame victory songs have become an integral part of NHL team culture, helping to build camaraderie, celebrate wins, and set the tone for the locker room. The songs chosen often have special meaning or connections to the team, players, or fans, making them an important tradition that can impact a team's energy and morale throughout the season.
