The New Jersey Devils are in the NHL playoffs for the first time in five years. Perhaps no one is rooting harder for the team to advance past the New York Rangers than nearby businesses.

With thousands of fans coming to the Prudential Center, three playoff games can go a long way – especially for the restaurants near the arena.

Championship Plaza is now a place where food trucks can grow their brands and local businesses can earn some extra funds.

Many business owners near the Prudential Center say that they are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. They say that many people are still working from home, undercutting lunches and happy hours. They say that they are happy for the playoff games to get them through the summer.

“The new saying is, ‘Winning is good for business, bad for glassware.’ They go crazy, you know?” says Dan Palsi, of Redd’s Biergarten. “Hockey fans are passionate. But this Devils fanbase, they’re fantastic.”

"This has been great. This is awesome that they do this. It’s good for us, good for the team, good for the crowd,” says Brett Hersh, of Pie Oh My NJ.

Hersh’s family’s pizza food truck, Pie Oh My, is a nod to a horse made famous by “The Sopranos.”

The Devils defeated the Rangers Thursday night with a score of 4-0. They now lead Round 1 of the playoff series 3-2.