Hate is such a strong word but that’s exactly what we get with the biggest NHL rivalries. Hockey’s a physical game as it is, but add to that the resentment between these rivals and the intensity goes next level.
These teams hate each other because they share a state, have had a history of wild brawls or because they were born too. Here’s the NHL’s ten biggest rivalries:
10. Red Wings vs. Avalanche
Detroit and Colorado’s rivalry reached its peak with the “Brawl in Hockeytown.” During the 1996 Western Conference Finals, the Avalanche’s Claude Lemieux brutally checked Red Wing Kris Draper seriously injuring him. The fracas resulted in 18 fighting major penalties and 144 penalty minutes.
Ever since then the Red Wings and Avalanche have one of the dirtiest rivalries the NHL has ever known with a history of wild brawls. The Claude Lemieux instigated fight in 1996 Major is considered to be one of the biggest in NHL history and was just the beginning of many melees between the two teams.
9. Sharks vs. Kings
A battle of little brother vs. big brother, the Sharks and Kings have historically played out a brutally physical rivalry between these Californian teams.
When San Jose and LA are healthy the rivalry is intense with plenty of banter between fans, especially between 2010 and 2016 when either one of these teams appeared in six of seven conference finals.
8. Capitals vs. Penguins
The Capitals and Penguins are only about a 250-mile drive apart from each other with the closeness meaning that away teams are well supported. These two always seemingly battle it out in the playoffs too.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby define the rivalry with both players remaining loyal to the Capitals and Penguins respectively, while battling it out in arguably the greatest superstar duels in history across three decades.
7. Oilers vs. Flames
Both Edmonton and Calgary compete in the “Battle of Alberta” in one of the most fiercest rivalries in the NHL. These two teams hate each other and battle it out for bragging rights in the province.
The Oilers vs. Flames rivalry peaked in the 1980s with five Stanley Cup titles between the two during the decade, with Wayne Gretzky starring in the dynasty years for Edmonton.
6. Blackhawks vs. Red Wings
In a battle between the largest cities in the Midwest, Chicago and Detroit are separated by only 280 miles. Both fan bases are passionate with almost a century worth of brawls between them.
The Blackhawks and Red Wings is considered a classic based on the fact that they’ve been bitter rivals since 1926, with both teams a part of the “Original Six”.
5. Rangers vs. Islanders
The “Battle of New York” between the Rangers and Islanders is big as both teams are geographical rivals as well as divisional rivals. Rivalry games are often fiery with fans exchanging derogatory chants.
One of the biggest NHL rivalries, the Islanders fan base tends to come from Long Island, Brooklyn and eastern Queens whereas the Rangers support typically comes from all over New York as one of the most popular NHL teams.
4. Penguins vs. Flyers
The Penguins and Flyers are one of the biggest NHL rivalries with some wicked moments between the two. Known as the “Battle of Pennsylvania” both franchises have very loyal fan bases with the eastern half of the state mostly Flyers fans, and the western half mostly Penguins fans.
Pittsburgh has won more Stanley Cups than Philadelphia, but the Flyers hold one of the most impressive home winning streaks in history over the Penguins, with a 42-game unbeaten streak that spanned almost 15 years between 1974 and 1989.
3. Maple Leafs vs. Senators
One of the biggest NHL rivalries is the “Battle of Ontario” between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Hockey games between the cities date back to 1891 but first faced off in the NHL in 1992.
A history of physical skirmishes between the two sides peaked in 20023 when Darcy Tucker attacked Ottawa’s Chris Neil and took on the entire Senators bench.
2. Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens
The Maple Leafs are at it again with two most popular NHL teams facing off in one of the biggest NHL rivalries. It’s also the oldest rivalry in ice hockey with the sides battling it out since 1917.
This is a rivalry that runs deep. Not only are the Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens a battle between Canada’s two largest cities. Historically the Canadiens were associated with French Canada and Catholicism, and the Maple Leafs with English-speaking Canada and Protestantism.
1. Bruins vs. Canadiens
The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens are the biggest rivals in the NHL. Considered one of the greatest rivalries in sports the two have been battling it out since 1924 . Both teams were league superpowers in the 70s when the rival was at its peak.
Like most rivalries its been watered down in recent years as the teams don’t play each other as often following multiple NHL expansions. When these teams are in a feral mood and matched up in a playoff series its no doubt the most brutal and savage game in ice hockey.
