I think it's safe to say the majority have a better sense these days of what is an honest performance. After all they know what championship hockey looks like. Or at least by now they should. And quiet crowd is not a bad thing if their team doesn't show up for a game. It's more sophisticated than cheering just to cheer the home team.
Hockey is about emotion.
The more there is the better we hockey fans like it. Let 'em know your there. Fans love atmosphere. When it's over, the team will know you're there.