Home ice benches are half in their own zone..they switch ends each period..so the home team gets the bench closest to their own zone twice per game where the visiting team only gets it once. Changes are more effective when the bench is closer to your own zone.
No offense here, but are you on drugs? Having played hockey my entire life, and at a professional level, I feel I am qualified to rebuke your statement(s). Other than football, hockey is the sport most effected by home ice, especially in the playoffs.
As previously mentioned home team gets last change. This is VERY important, because match-ups win games. Checking line against the scoring line is probably the most important thing you can get late in a tight game. Also, the visiting team needs to put their stick down for face-offs first; this allows the home team to dictate the pace of face-offs and gives them a timing advantage. Winning a draw can vastly shape a game; don't believe me, watch how Vancouver made it into OT of their deciding game of the San Jose series. A big draw win with seconds to go in the game lead to a goal.
Then you have to factor the travel schedule into the equation. Boston has been living in a hotel for about a week now. This means they're out of their routine (huge in hockey) to start the series. In total, they'll have played two games in 6 nights of being in Vancouver, the first two games are critical to the momentum in a series. Then think about a long series; they'll start having only one night off between games for travel.; I'd much rather return home to my bed than I would a hotel, wouldn't you? It is underestimated the affect a hotel has on your body when battling.
As to your benches comment... Each team plays ONE period with a long change. Each team's bench is nearly identical in proximity to their end of the rink. There is no special rule that makes the home team have a shorter distance to change. Also, it's physically impossible for teams to "switch benches" as your post suggests. They simply change ends of the ice and return to the same benches. The long change affects both teams equally; you'll hear commentators make that comment during even numbered periods when a player is stuck on the ice under pressure. It can and does affect the home team just as much as the visiting making it null.
I'm pretty certain Basketball home court has nothing on hockey as well. There is no real advantage in basketball other than the crowd. I also don't buy the momentum shifts from basketball can be attributed to the crowd; it's simply too slow a game for that. Time-outs, shot clocks, etc lead to a slow game, crowds can't affect something moving at a snails pace as much as they can something that is high intensity and constantly flowing.
But hey, I could be wrong about all of this...
