NHL teams are averaging 17,668 fans per game through March 5, up by about 2% compared to the same period last year and approximately 1% compared to the '11-12 season's final average. The Blackhawks continue to lead all clubs with 21,580 fans per game, packing United Center to 105% capacity and putting the team on pace for its fifth straight attendance title. The Stars lead all NHL clubs in gains at the gate, up 32% at American Airlines Center. The Blue Jackets and Blues are seeing the sharpest drops among Western Conference clubs, down 7% and 5%, respectively. Listed below is team-by-team attendance for the NHL Western Conference, with comparisons to both the same period last year and each club's final average last season (THE DAILY).

NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE THROUGH MARCH 5
HOME TEAM	GMS	AVG.	% CAP.	'11-12 THRU MARCH 5	% +/-	GMS	'11-12 FINAL	% +/-
Blackhawks	11	21,580	105.3%	21,518	0.3%	33	21,534	0.2%
Red Wings	14	20,066	100.0%	20,066	0.0%	33	20,066	0.0%
Flames	12	19,289	100.0%	19,289	0.0%	31	19,289	0.0%
Canucks	12	18,985	100.4%	18,882	0.5%	30	18,884	0.5%
Blues	11	17,741	92.6%	18,752	-5.4%	34	18,810	-5.7%
Kings	9	18,191	100.4%	18,107	0.5%	34	18,119	0.4%
Wild	11	18,522	102.5%	17,778	4.2%	31	17,773	4.2%
Sharks	11	17,561	100.0%	17,562	0.0%	32	17,562	0.0%
Oilers	10	16,839	100.0%	16,839	0.0%	33	16,839	0.0%
Predators	10	17,134	100.1%	16,588	3.3%	33	16,691	2.7%
Avalanche	9	14,964	83.1%	15,455	-3.2%	34	15,499	-3.4%
Ducks	9	15,583	90.7%	14,586	6.8%	34	14,843	5.0%
Blue Jackets	12	13,649	75.2%	14,691	-7.1%	32	14,660	-6.9%
Stars	10	17,673	95.4%	13,429	31.6%	33	14,227	24.2%
Coyotes	13	13,017	76.0%	12,119	7.4%	33	12,421	4.8%
W.C. TOTALS	164	17,425	94.9%	17,022	2.4%	490	17,022	2.4%
NHL TOTALS	333	17,668	96.1%	17,333	1.9%	983	17,445	1.3%

NOTES: All NHL attendance data is based on totals posted immediately following games. Figures do not reflect any subsequent adjustments made by teams or the league.

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