I think the magical formula that results in RPF doesn't necessarily have much to do with being in a sports town or not, or even if the team is successful or not. The two big ships right now are Pens and Hawks, and both of those teams are successful, but after that it's pairings from the Oilers (oh, poor Oilers) and the Stars (which had a run at the playoffs last year full of gumption and can-do narrative). Both those latter two exist almost entirely because of cute videos and PR, as far as I can tell.

OH. But I just remembered hearing that Bruins fic used to be bigger back in the LJ era! You might check out 2mins4slashing for fic.

The kinkmeme prompt was, uh, vore in which Chara ate rookies who misbehaved. Aren't you glad you asked? :D