The sport of hockey is known for dishing up its fair share of vicious brawls and physical battles on the ice. Accordingly, there is no shortage of high-profile NHL rivalries. Here are six of the biggest rivalries in the NHL.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
The rivalry between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens is widely regarded as the biggest rivalry in the NHL. Ever since their first meeting all the way back in 1924, the Bruins and Canadiens have shared a mutual hatred for one another.
In fact, the old foes have gone head-to-head more times than any other two NHL teams, contesting over 30 playoff showdowns and countless regular-season clashes, including the infamous “Brawl in the Hall”.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
Although the feud between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings is relatively new compared with some of the other NHL rivalries out there, fans of these teams will tell you that the Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry is right up there.
During the 1996 Western Conference Finals, Colorado’s Claude Lemieux savagely injured Detroit’s Kris Draper. The following season, the two sides clashed in the notorious “Brawl in Hockey Town”, with every player on the ice trading blows.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The “Battle on Pennsylvania” is undoubtedly among the biggest rivalries in the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins both entered the league in 1967 during an expansion and the Keystone State rivals have been enemies ever since.
Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, once told NHL.com: “We don’t like each other. You can dissect it all you want, but the fact is we don’t like each other”. That tells you everything you need to know about this rivalry.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
It is no surprise that the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs don’t see eye to eye. After all, they represent Canada’s biggest hockey cities in the nation’s most popular sport.
Hostilities between the teams began all the way back in 1917 during the National Hockey League’s inaugural season. Since then, the two sides have contested countless playoff clashes, multiple Stanley Cup Finals and even more brawls on the ice.
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
Known as the “Battle of Alberta”, the provincial rivalry between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers is unquestionably one of the biggest rivalries in the NHL.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Alberta foes met in several memorable playoff series, intensifying the animosity between them. Although the Oilers have enjoyed more postseason success over the years, the Flames lead the overall series.
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
We can’t finish this list of the biggest NHL rivalries without mentioning the “Battle of the Hudson”. At the end of the day, the rivalry between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers is among the fiercest in the league.
The feud intensified in 1988 when the Devils edged the Rangers in the final game of the regular season, with John MacLean scoring an overtime goal to send the Devils into the playoffs. Since then, the two sides have shared a mutual dislike for one another.
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