National Hockey League rivalries
Encyclopedia
Rivalries in the National Hockey League
(NHL) have occurred between many teams and cities. Rivalries have arisen for many different reasons, the primary ones including geographic proximity, familiarity with opponents, on-ice incidents (violence), and cultural, linguistic, or national pride.
The importance of these various factors has varied widely throughout the history of the league.
, and all cities in the league were in close proximity, making for bitter rivalries all around. In addition, Montreal
had two teams representing its English-French divide, as the "French" Canadiens
battled the "English" Wanderers
(and later the Maroons
). Rivalries also existed with other leagues, such as the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
(PCHA). It was not until 1926 that the NHL took over sole ownership of hockey's top trophy, the Stanley Cup
. By that time, the league had begun expanding into the United States
, and new rivalries were created. Rapid expansion into the U.S. for a short time created a cross-town rivalry in New York City
between the Rangers
and the Americans
. The economic turmoil of the Great Depression
and the Second World War
, however, forced several teams to fold, with the result that by 1942
the NHL consisted of only six teams.
, Chicago Black Hawks
, Detroit Red Wings
, Montreal Canadiens
, New York Rangers
, and Toronto Maple Leafs
) played in the NHL. With so few opponents, teams played more frequently, and games were often underscored by personal rivalries between players. These personal and team rivalries persisted over many years, as the turnover rate on NHL rosters was very low. At one point or another, during this era, all the teams had animosity towards one another.
and the Philadelphia Flyers
has become quite intense in New Jersey
itself, sometimes being referred to as the "Battle of the Jersey Turnpike." Devils supporters reside mostly in the northern part of the state, while the southern part of the state is dominated by Flyers fans due to South Jersey
's close proximity to Philadelphia. The Flyers practice in Voorhees Township, New Jersey
, and since their Stanley Cup championships of and , many members of those Cup-winning teams (as well as other Flyers alumni) have lived in South Jersey.
Since the conferences were realigned and renamed prior to the season, the two teams have won the two highest numbers of division titles (the Devils having won nine and the Flyers six). Together, the two teams' 15 division championships account for almost all of the 17 total Atlantic Division titles.
–Pittsburgh Penguins
rivalry began in 1967
when the teams were introduced into the NHL's "Next Six
" expansion wave. The rivalry exists due to divisional alignment and geographic location, as both teams play in the state of Pennsylvania
. The Flyers lead the series with a 137–87–30 record. However, the Penguins have eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs in 2008
and 2009
—their most recent postseason meeting, strengthening the rivalry.
's major league sports, as the Rangers and Islanders are in the same conference and division, guaranteeing plenty of matchups. The Major League Baseball
's New York Yankees
and New York Mets
are in different conferences
, as are the National Football League
's New York Jets
and New York Giants
, so the only meeting opportunities are during intra-league or championship games.
The Philadelphia Flyers
–New York Rangers
rivalry (also commonly referred to as the Battle of the Broads or Broadway versus Broad Street') is one of the most storied and well known rivalries. The Rangers and the Flyers have met ten times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Flyers winning six of the series, and they have been division rivals since the season.
There is a long-standing bitter rivalry between the sports fans from the cities of New York City
and Philadelphia, which are approximately two hours apart by car, seen also between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball
and the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League
. Games between the two teams at both Madison Square Garden
and Wells Fargo Center are often very intense, hard-hitting affairs, as each home crowd does its best to create an unfriendly and sometimes volatile atmosphere for any visiting-team fans.
–New Jersey Devils
Rivalry (Hudson River rivalry), exists between two teams in the New York metropolitan area. The two teams are called "cross-river rivals." This is because Madison Square Garden
in Midtown Manhattan
, where the Rangers play, is less than ten miles and across the Hudson River from the Prudential Center in downtown Newark
(and previously, the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford
), the home arena of the Devils. Travel between both arenas is easily accomplished by both road (usually through the Lincoln Tunnel
) and rail (along the Northeast Corridor
).
and the Ottawa Senators
, often described as one of the top NHL rivalries. The teams compete in the same division
and meet frequently during regular season games and Stanley Cup playoffs
.
and Toronto Maple Leafs
. This is due to the close proximity of the two cites and their connection via the Queen Elizabeth Way
. The distance from the south end, the HSBC Arena
from downtown Buffalo, New York
, and the north end, the Air Canada Centre
in downtown Toronto
are 145 kilometers or 89 miles from each other. Since the season, both teams have played in the Northeast Division.
and Montreal Canadiens
is considered "one of the greatest rivalries in sports," along with the Yankees – Red Sox and Bears–Packers rivalries. The two teams have played each other more times, in both regular season play and the playoffs, than any other two teams in NHL history.
As of the season, the Bruins have won 259 of these matches, scoring a total of 1,885 goals against the Canadiens, with the Canadiens winning 343 of them, scoring a total of 2,160 goals against the Bruins, with 103 other games between the two teams ending in ties, all before the 2004–05 NHL lockout's rule changes mandated the "shootout" format to break such tie games, going back all the way to the Bruins' first NHL season of . In the playoffs, the two teams have met in 33 series for a total of 164 games, 10 series and some 47 more games than two other Original Six
teams, the Detroit Red Wings
and Toronto Maple Leafs
. The two teams have faced each other 8 times in Game seven
s, more times than any other opponents in NHL history.
and the Ottawa Senators
have had a strong rivalry since after the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when both teams were vying for the Northeast Division title. Ottawa generally had the upper hand on Buffalo during regular season games, but Buffalo usually would beat them in the playoffs. The best-known game in this rivalry was one that occurred on February 22, 2007, which included a large fight that included both goaltenders and verbal sparring between the two coaches (Buffalo won the game 6–5).
and Montreal Canadiens
is the oldest rivalry in the history of the National Hockey League
. From 1944 to 1978, the two teams met each other in the playoffs 15 times, and faced off in five Stanley Cup Finals. While the on-ice competition is fierce, the Leafs-Habs rivalry is actually symbolic of the rivalry between Canada
's two largest cities: Toronto
and Montreal
.
and Tampa Bay Lightning
are both teams located within the state of Florida
along Interstate 75
, representing different geographical areas within the state. The two teams have played in the same division since 1993 (Atlantic Division from 1993-1998 and Southeast Division since 1998). Despite the Lightning outperforming the Panthers in many ways, including winning the Stanley Cup, the Panthers hold a dominating series record of 55-28-10-7, the best record the Panthers have against any team in the National Hockey League.
—Washington Capitals
rivalry is an inter-division rivalry. In total, the two teams have met eight times in the playoffs. Despite trailing in 7 of the 8 series, Pittsburgh has won all but the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals where they were heavily favored. The teams first met in the 1991 Patrick Division Finals, when the Penguins defeated the Capitals in five games, en route to capturing the Stanley Cup
. The rivalry was intense during the early 2000s when the Penguins beat the Capitals in the first round in consecutive seasons (1999–00, 2000–01). More recently, with the drafting and emergence of Alexander Ovechkin
and Alexander Semin
in Washington, and Sidney Crosby
and Evgeni Malkin
in Pittsburgh, the rivalry has heated up again, with controversial comments that Semin made about Crosby in the media and physical altercations taking place between Ovechkin and Malkin during games. One of the best series to date between the teams was the 2009 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, in which the Capitals took a 2-0 series lead before letting it go once again to be downed in seven games, ending with a 6-2 game seven loss at Verizon Center
. The two teams faced off at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic
hosted in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field
, with the Capitals emerging victorious 3-1.
, and only two of the conference's teams-- Chicago and Detroit-- predate the conference's creation) and its teams generally are, geographically speaking, spread much farther apart than those on the East Coast. (See East Coast bias
for a more in-depth explanation of this phenomenon.)
and the Detroit Red Wings
is the most intense rivalry in the Central Division
. It has existed since and continued from the Original Six
days into the present. These two clubs have faced each other in more regular season games than any other two clubs in NHL history, except for the total number of regular season and playoff matches between the Bruins and Canadiens
.
and the St. Louis Blues
. Since , the two teams have been in the same division together. It is the most intense rivalry in terms of penalty minutes and fighting. It was not uncommon to go to a Chicago vs. St. Louis game and see a brawl break out.
and Calgary Flames
. The two teams are based in the cities of Edmonton
, the provincial capital of Alberta and Calgary
, the province's largest city. Most often it is used to describe sporting events between the two cities, although this is not exclusive as the rivalry predates organized sport
s in Alberta.
and Calgary Flames
of the Northwest Division
has its roots in the stark geographic, political, and economic differences between Vancouver
and Calgary
, the two largest cities in Western Canada
. The two cities are separated by the barrier of the Rocky Mountains
, with Vancouver surrounded by the Pacific Ocean
, the peaks of the Coast Mountains
, and forests and Calgary sitting on an expanse of flat prairie
. The Rockies serve as not only a geographical barrier but a political one as well: Vancouver is a haven for the political left
in Canada, strongly supportive of both the Liberal
and New Democratic
political parties, while Calgary has been a bastion of right-wing politics
since the province of Alberta's creation and is a stronghold for the Conservative Party
.
Prior to the turn of the millennium, the Canucks and Flames faced each other during the first round of postseason play in , , , during the Flames championship season of , and 1994, with Calgary holding a 3-2 margin. The latter two series were decided in seven games by overtime goals (Joel Otto
for Calgary and Pavel Bure
for Vancouver) and coincidentally both managed to reach the Stanley Cup Finals during those seasons (with Calgary winning the cup in ).
In the early and mid nineties, the rivalry was considered among the most intense in the NHL, with the two teams often battling for top spot in the Smythe and later Pacific Division. However, it started to fade soon afterward as both teams started to sink in the standings in the late 1990s.
It was during the season when the rivalry re-ignited, with the Canucks and Flames constantly battling for top spot in the Northwest Division along with the Colorado Avalanche
. When Canucks captain Markus Naslund
and Flames captain Jarome Iginla
developed into two of that era's greatest players, the rivalry became one of which team had the better overall leader. Between the beginning of the century and Naslund's departure from the Canucks in 2008, the spotlight would often be featured on both he and Iginla whenever the teams matched up. During the , the two found themselves competing for the Art Ross Trophy
for the league's highest point scorer. The following year, both players were featured in a Nike
commercial promoting the rivalry between them.
These two teams met again during the first round of the 2004 postseason, and, just like in 1989 and 1994, the series-winning goal was scored in overtime in game seven by Calgary's Martin Gelinas
(who was a member of the 1994 Canucks team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals
). The Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals
, however, unlike 1989, they were defeated in the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning
in seven games.
The subsequent trade by Vancouver for elite netminder Roberto Luongo
in June 2006 gave the Canucks a capable opponent to Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff
, who has already established himself as one of the top goalies in the NHL. Players from both teams bring out their best when they play against each other, resulting in games of high entertainment value. In addition to the duel between Luongo and Kiprusoff, matchups between former Vancouver defenceman Willie Mitchell and Flames captain Jarome Iginla
were also noteworthy.
and Los Angeles Kings
. The series takes its name from the massive freeway system in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area
, the home of both teams; one could travel from one team's arena to the other simply by traveling along Interstate 5
. The term is akin to the Freeway Series
which refers to meetings between the Los Angeles
area baseball teams.
over what he deemed as questionable officiating during the 1982 Campbell Conference Finals, which began the Towel Power
tradition in Vancouver and elsewhere in the NHL. Vancouver prevailed in the series four games to one, but only to lose to the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup Finals in four straight games.
Although the Blackhawks swept the Canucks in the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals, it was not until the season where the rivalry was once again renewed. This was highlighted by Canucks' Ryan Kesler
accusing then-Blackhawk winger Andrew Ladd
of being a "coward" after an on-ice hit. With Chicago eliminating Vancouver in the second round of the playoffs consecutively in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (and won the Stanley Cup in the later season), these two teams met again for the third straight year in the first round of the 2010-11 playoffs where the Vancouver Canucks finally defeated Chicago, in seven games. In this series, the Canucks took a three games to none series lead, but after a hit by Canucks forward Raffi Torres
on Hawks defenceman Brent Seabrook
from behind the Chicago goal in Game 3 (which brought Hawks captain Jonathan Toews
to say, "It's just concrete evidence of how much we dislike that team, and it's added motivation to our situation"), only to lose the next three games straight. In the seventh and deciding game, the Blackhawks tied the game in the final minutes, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows
intercepted a clearing attempt by Blackhawks defenceman Chris Campoli
and scored on a slapshot to secure the overtime and series victory for the Canucks, en route to the Stanley Cup Finals
.
(NHL) rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens
and Quebec Nordiques
. The rivalry lasted from the to seasons. The teams played against each other five times in the NHL playoffs, and the Canadiens won three of the series. One meeting, in 1984, resulted in the Good Friday Massacre
, a game in which multiple brawls happened. The Battle of Quebec extended to politics, in which the Canadiens and Nordiques became symbols for rival parties, and beer distribution, as the teams were both owned by competing breweries.
and the Los Angeles Kings
began more or less the instant the Oilers began playing in the NHL in the season. Among the first year Oilers' players included a young Wayne Gretzky
, who instantly challenged for the Art Ross Trophy against the Kings' Marcel Dionne
. In the end, Gretzky and Dionne were both tied with 137 points, but the award was given to Dionne, who had two more goals (53 vs. Gretzky's 51). It should also be noted that Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne's full count of 80. Gretzky remarked during a press conference at which the scoring title was awarded to Dionne that he had been taught "that an assist was good as a goal."
The two teams would not meet in the playoffs until the season. That season, Gretzky shattered the NHL record books with points in a season with 212 (92 goals and 120 assists). The Oilers also jumped to the top of their division despite playing in their third NHL season and had the third best record in the league. The Kings, after a fairly impressive season, slumped to having the fifth worst record in the 21 team NHL. They only made the playoffs, being fourth in the same division as the Oilers, because the Colorado Rockies
had an even worse record in their last season there. This set the stage for the top-seeded, heavily-favored Oilers to meet in the first round against the Kings. After a two-game split in Edmonton
, Game 3 in Los Angeles began with a commanding Oilers 5–0 lead after two periods. But in a miraculous comeback, the Kings managed to tie the game 5–5 in the third period, scoring the tying goal with 5 seconds left on a two-man advantage. The Kings would later win the game 6–5 in overtime. This game is often referred to as the Miracle on Manchester
. The Oilers struck back in Game 4 to send the series back to Edmonton for the deciding game in a best of five series. However, it was the Kings who upset the Oilers and advanced to the next round.
For the next two seasons, the Kings would miss the playoffs completely while the Oilers competed in the Stanley Cup Finals in and won their first Stanley Cup in . Both finals were played against the dynasty New York Islanders
. The two teams finally met again in 1985, but this time the Oilers defeated the Kings in three straight games. The Oilers would go on to win their second straight Stanley Cup. They met again in 1987 under a new best of seven playoff format for the first round, and again the Oilers would win, this time in five games, and again the Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup. In 1988, the Kings were again blown out of the first round, but by the Calgary Flames
, while Gretzky led the Oilers to another Stanley Cup.
The entire world of sports was shocked on August 9, 1988 upon the announcement of the Oilers trading Wayne Gretzky along with Mike Krushelnyski
and Marty McSorley
, to the Kings for two rising young players (Jimmy Carson
and Martin Gelinas
), three first-round draft picks, and $15 million.
Gretzky would lead the Kings in the season to vast improvements. For the first time, the Kings had a better season record than Edmonton, finishing second in the Smythe Division over the third place Oilers. This also led to another first round match up between the Kings and Oilers. This time, it was the Kings, with Gretzky, against the Oilers, and the Kings also had home ice. The Oilers first took command of the series and jumped ahead three games to one above the Kings. But Los Angeles answered back with three straight wins to win the series against Edmonton.
In the next three playoff meetings between the two teams, the Gretzky-led Kings would be eliminated by his former teammates in four, six, and six games respectively. Edmonton also won another Stanley Cup in after sweeping the Kings in the second round.
After the season, the rivalry would die down as players from the Oilers would move to other teams. Jari Kurri
and Charlie Huddy
would rejoin Gretzky on the Kings and go on a playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993
, losing to the Montreal Canadiens
in five games. Mark Messier
, Glenn Anderson
, Adam Graves
, Craig MacTavish
, and others would move to the New York Rangers and go on a Stanley Cup winning run in 1994
, which was the last hurrah for the great Edmonton team of the 1980s. In that series, Messier became the first to captain two teams to the Stanley Cup, something Gretzky couldn't do with the Kings the year before.
and Ulf Samuelsson
would fight on a regular occasion, It got to a point where Ulf hit Neeley in the knees in the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Ulf was traded to the Penguins earlier that season. At the Hartford Civic Center, usually when the Bruins would win the Whalers fans would fight Bruins fans on Ann St in Downtown Hartford. The rivalry came to an end in 1997 when the Whalers relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina where they play to this day. But on some occasions there would be fights or an occasional and in 2009 The number 1 ranked Bruins were knocked out by Carolina in 7
games in the second round.
and Detroit Red Wings
was laid well before Denver even had an NHL franchise, during games between Detroit and the Quebec Nordiques
. Once the Nordiques moved to Denver, the small rivalry still existed. Also, in a regular season game between Detroit and the Montreal Canadiens
, the Wings scored on Patrick Roy
9 times, leading to Roy demanding a trade. Roy was eventually traded to Colorado and became a huge factor in the rivalry.
The rivalry was largely predicated on the competitiveness of both teams in the late 1990s and early 21st century. From to , the teams met in five playoff series, three times in the Western Conference Finals. Out of those seven seasons, the teams combined to win five Stanley Cup
s and four Presidents' Trophies
. From to , both teams, along with the New Jersey Devils
, reigned exclusively as Stanley Cup champions, except in , which was won by the Dallas Stars
.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) have occurred between many teams and cities. Rivalries have arisen for many different reasons, the primary ones including geographic proximity, familiarity with opponents, on-ice incidents (violence), and cultural, linguistic, or national pride.
The importance of these various factors has varied widely throughout the history of the league.
Early history
During the earliest days of the NHL, the league was limited strictly to Central CanadaCentral Canada
Central Canada is a region consisting of Canada's two largest and most populous provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Due to their high populations, Ontario and Quebec have traditionally held a significant amount of political power in Canada, leading to some amount of resentment from other regions of the...
, and all cities in the league were in close proximity, making for bitter rivalries all around. In addition, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
had two teams representing its English-French divide, as the "French" Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
battled the "English" Wanderers
Montreal Wanderers
The Montreal Wanderers were a Canadian amateur, and later becoming a professional men's ice hockey team. The team played in the Federal Amateur Hockey League , the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association , the National Hockey Association and briefly the National Hockey League . The Wanderers are...
(and later the Maroons
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935...
). Rivalries also existed with other leagues, such as the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
Pacific Coast Hockey Association
The Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a professional men's ice hockey league in western Canada and the western United States, which operated from 1911 to 1924 when it then merged with the Western Canada Hockey League...
(PCHA). It was not until 1926 that the NHL took over sole ownership of hockey's top trophy, the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. By that time, the league had begun expanding into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and new rivalries were created. Rapid expansion into the U.S. for a short time created a cross-town rivalry in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between the Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
and the Americans
New York Americans
The New York Americans were a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League and the second to play in the United States. The team never won the Stanley Cup, but reached the semifinals...
. The economic turmoil of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, however, forced several teams to fold, with the result that by 1942
1942–43 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes-Leading goaltenders:...
the NHL consisted of only six teams.
Original Six rivalries
From to , only six teams (the Boston BruinsBoston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) played in the NHL. With so few opponents, teams played more frequently, and games were often underscored by personal rivalries between players. These personal and team rivalries persisted over many years, as the turnover rate on NHL rosters was very low. At one point or another, during this era, all the teams had animosity towards one another.
Battle of the Jersey Turnpike: New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The rivalry between the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
has become quite intense in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
itself, sometimes being referred to as the "Battle of the Jersey Turnpike." Devils supporters reside mostly in the northern part of the state, while the southern part of the state is dominated by Flyers fans due to South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
's close proximity to Philadelphia. The Flyers practice in Voorhees Township, New Jersey
Voorhees Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,126 people, 10,489 households, and 7,069 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,424.0 people per square mile . There were 11,084 housing units at an average density of 955.2 per square mile...
, and since their Stanley Cup championships of and , many members of those Cup-winning teams (as well as other Flyers alumni) have lived in South Jersey.
Since the conferences were realigned and renamed prior to the season, the two teams have won the two highest numbers of division titles (the Devils having won nine and the Flyers six). Together, the two teams' 15 division championships account for almost all of the 17 total Atlantic Division titles.
Battle of the Keystone State: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
–Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
rivalry began in 1967
1967 NHL expansion
The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
when the teams were introduced into the NHL's "Next Six
1967 NHL expansion
The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
" expansion wave. The rivalry exists due to divisional alignment and geographic location, as both teams play in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The Flyers lead the series with a 137–87–30 record. However, the Penguins have eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs in 2008
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
and 2009
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
—their most recent postseason meeting, strengthening the rivalry.
Battle of New York: New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders
The Islanders-Rangers rivalry, also unofficially known as the "Battle of New York," is unique among New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's major league sports, as the Rangers and Islanders are in the same conference and division, guaranteeing plenty of matchups. The Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
are in different conferences
Sports league
League is a term commonly used to describe a group of sports teams or individual athletes that compete against each other in a specific sport. At its simplest, it may be a local group of amateur athletes who form teams among themselves and compete on weekends; at its most complex, it can be an...
, as are the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, so the only meeting opportunities are during intra-league or championship games.
Broadway vs. Broad Street: New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
–New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
rivalry (also commonly referred to as the Battle of the Broads or Broadway versus Broad Street') is one of the most storied and well known rivalries. The Rangers and the Flyers have met ten times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Flyers winning six of the series, and they have been division rivals since the season.
There is a long-standing bitter rivalry between the sports fans from the cities of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Philadelphia, which are approximately two hours apart by car, seen also between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Games between the two teams at both Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
and Wells Fargo Center are often very intense, hard-hitting affairs, as each home crowd does its best to create an unfriendly and sometimes volatile atmosphere for any visiting-team fans.
Hudson River Rivalry: New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
The New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
–New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
Rivalry (Hudson River rivalry), exists between two teams in the New York metropolitan area. The two teams are called "cross-river rivals." This is because Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
, where the Rangers play, is less than ten miles and across the Hudson River from the Prudential Center in downtown Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
(and previously, the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford
East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
), the home arena of the Devils. Travel between both arenas is easily accomplished by both road (usually through the Lincoln Tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel is a long tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Weehawken, New Jersey and the borough of Manhattan in New York City.-History:...
) and rail (along the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
).
Battle of Ontario: Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Battle of Ontario is a rivalry between the Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, often described as one of the top NHL rivalries. The teams compete in the same division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
and meet frequently during regular season games and Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
.
Battle of Queen Elizabeth Way: Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Battle of the QEW is a rivalry between the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. This is due to the close proximity of the two cites and their connection via the Queen Elizabeth Way
Queen Elizabeth Way
The Queen Elizabeth Way, commonly abbreviated as the QEW, is a 400-Series highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. The freeway links Buffalo, New York and the Niagara Peninsula with Toronto. It begins at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and travels around the western shore of Lake Ontario, ending...
. The distance from the south end, the HSBC Arena
HSBC Arena
The First Niagara Center, formerly known as HSBC Arena and Marine Midland Arena, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in downtown Buffalo, New York, USA...
from downtown Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, and the north end, the Air Canada Centre
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
in downtown Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
are 145 kilometers or 89 miles from each other. Since the season, both teams have played in the Northeast Division.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
The rivalry between the Boston BruinsBoston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
is considered "one of the greatest rivalries in sports," along with the Yankees – Red Sox and Bears–Packers rivalries. The two teams have played each other more times, in both regular season play and the playoffs, than any other two teams in NHL history.
As of the season, the Bruins have won 259 of these matches, scoring a total of 1,885 goals against the Canadiens, with the Canadiens winning 343 of them, scoring a total of 2,160 goals against the Bruins, with 103 other games between the two teams ending in ties, all before the 2004–05 NHL lockout's rule changes mandated the "shootout" format to break such tie games, going back all the way to the Bruins' first NHL season of . In the playoffs, the two teams have met in 33 series for a total of 164 games, 10 series and some 47 more games than two other Original Six
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
teams, the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The two teams have faced each other 8 times in Game seven
Game seven
A game seven is the final game of a best of seven series. This game can occur in the postseasons for Major League Baseball , the National Basketball Association , and the National Hockey League .The game is traditionally played at the site of team holding the home...
s, more times than any other opponents in NHL history.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators
The Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
have had a strong rivalry since after the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when both teams were vying for the Northeast Division title. Ottawa generally had the upper hand on Buffalo during regular season games, but Buffalo usually would beat them in the playoffs. The best-known game in this rivalry was one that occurred on February 22, 2007, which included a large fight that included both goaltenders and verbal sparring between the two coaches (Buffalo won the game 6–5).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
The rivalry between the Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
is the oldest rivalry in the history of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. From 1944 to 1978, the two teams met each other in the playoffs 15 times, and faced off in five Stanley Cup Finals. While the on-ice competition is fierce, the Leafs-Habs rivalry is actually symbolic of the rivalry between Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's two largest cities: Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
Battle of the Sunshine State: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
The Florida PanthersFlorida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
and Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
are both teams located within the state of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
along Interstate 75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
, representing different geographical areas within the state. The two teams have played in the same division since 1993 (Atlantic Division from 1993-1998 and Southeast Division since 1998). Despite the Lightning outperforming the Panthers in many ways, including winning the Stanley Cup, the Panthers hold a dominating series record of 55-28-10-7, the best record the Panthers have against any team in the National Hockey League.
Interdivisional
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
The Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
—Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
rivalry is an inter-division rivalry. In total, the two teams have met eight times in the playoffs. Despite trailing in 7 of the 8 series, Pittsburgh has won all but the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals where they were heavily favored. The teams first met in the 1991 Patrick Division Finals, when the Penguins defeated the Capitals in five games, en route to capturing the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. The rivalry was intense during the early 2000s when the Penguins beat the Capitals in the first round in consecutive seasons (1999–00, 2000–01). More recently, with the drafting and emergence of Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
and Alexander Semin
Alexander Semin
Alexander Valerievich Semin , also known by fans as The Great 28, The Other Alex, or most commonly known as Sasha, is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League ....
in Washington, and Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
and Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
in Pittsburgh, the rivalry has heated up again, with controversial comments that Semin made about Crosby in the media and physical altercations taking place between Ovechkin and Malkin during games. One of the best series to date between the teams was the 2009 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, in which the Capitals took a 2-0 series lead before letting it go once again to be downed in seven games, ending with a 6-2 game seven loss at Verizon Center
Verizon Center
Verizon Center is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA, named after telecommunications sponsor Verizon Communications, and has been nicknamed the "Phone Booth" because of its association with telecommunications companies...
. The two teams faced off at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic
2011 NHL Winter Classic
The 2011 NHL Winter Classic was the fourth edition of the annual outdoor ice hockey game held by the National Hockey League as a regular season game. The Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on January 1, 2011 at 8:00 p.m...
hosted in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field
Heinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
, with the Capitals emerging victorious 3-1.
Western Conference
There are significantly fewer major rivalries in the NHL's Western Conference, due to that conference being much younger (the conference as a whole was created in 19671967 NHL expansion
The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
, and only two of the conference's teams-- Chicago and Detroit-- predate the conference's creation) and its teams generally are, geographically speaking, spread much farther apart than those on the East Coast. (See East Coast bias
East Coast Bias
East Coast bias is an expression referring to the alleged tendency for sportswriters in the United States and Canada to give greater weight and credibility to teams on the East Coast.-Causes:New York City and Toronto serve as major media hubs...
for a more in-depth explanation of this phenomenon.)
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings
The rivalry between the Chicago BlackhawksChicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
is the most intense rivalry in the Central Division
Central Division (NHL)
The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...
. It has existed since and continued from the Original Six
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
days into the present. These two clubs have faced each other in more regular season games than any other two clubs in NHL history, except for the total number of regular season and playoff matches between the Bruins and Canadiens
Bruins–Canadiens rivalry
The rivalry between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League is considered "one of the greatest rivalries in sports," along with the Yankees – Red Sox and Bears–Packers rivalries...
.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
The Blues—Blackhawks rivalry features the Chicago BlackhawksChicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
. Since , the two teams have been in the same division together. It is the most intense rivalry in terms of penalty minutes and fighting. It was not uncommon to go to a Chicago vs. St. Louis game and see a brawl break out.
Battle of Alberta: Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Battle of Alberta is the bitter rivalry between the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
and Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. The two teams are based in the cities of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, the provincial capital of Alberta and Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, the province's largest city. Most often it is used to describe sporting events between the two cities, although this is not exclusive as the rivalry predates organized sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s in Alberta.
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks
The rivalry between the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
and Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
has its roots in the stark geographic, political, and economic differences between Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, the two largest cities in Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
. The two cities are separated by the barrier of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, with Vancouver surrounded by the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, the peaks of the Coast Mountains
Coast Mountains
The Coast Mountains are a major mountain range, in the Pacific Coast Ranges, of western North America, extending from southwestern Yukon through the Alaska Panhandle and virtually all of the Coast of British Columbia. They are so-named because of their proximity to the sea coast, and are often...
, and forests and Calgary sitting on an expanse of flat prairie
Prairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
. The Rockies serve as not only a geographical barrier but a political one as well: Vancouver is a haven for the political left
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
in Canada, strongly supportive of both the Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
and New Democratic
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
political parties, while Calgary has been a bastion of right-wing politics
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
since the province of Alberta's creation and is a stronghold for the Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
.
Prior to the turn of the millennium, the Canucks and Flames faced each other during the first round of postseason play in , , , during the Flames championship season of , and 1994, with Calgary holding a 3-2 margin. The latter two series were decided in seven games by overtime goals (Joel Otto
Joel Otto
Joel Stuart Otto is an American former professional ice hockey center and current assistant coach of the Calgary Hitmen of the major junior Western Hockey League...
for Calgary and Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
for Vancouver) and coincidentally both managed to reach the Stanley Cup Finals during those seasons (with Calgary winning the cup in ).
In the early and mid nineties, the rivalry was considered among the most intense in the NHL, with the two teams often battling for top spot in the Smythe and later Pacific Division. However, it started to fade soon afterward as both teams started to sink in the standings in the late 1990s.
It was during the season when the rivalry re-ignited, with the Canucks and Flames constantly battling for top spot in the Northwest Division along with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. When Canucks captain Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Flames captain Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
developed into two of that era's greatest players, the rivalry became one of which team had the better overall leader. Between the beginning of the century and Naslund's departure from the Canucks in 2008, the spotlight would often be featured on both he and Iginla whenever the teams matched up. During the , the two found themselves competing for the Art Ross Trophy
Art Ross Trophy
The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception...
for the league's highest point scorer. The following year, both players were featured in a Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
commercial promoting the rivalry between them.
These two teams met again during the first round of the 2004 postseason, and, just like in 1989 and 1994, the series-winning goal was scored in overtime in game seven by Calgary's Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...
(who was a member of the 1994 Canucks team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
). The Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals
2004 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2003–04 season. As a culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Western Conference champion Calgary Flames...
, however, unlike 1989, they were defeated in the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in seven games.
The subsequent trade by Vancouver for elite netminder Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
in June 2006 gave the Canucks a capable opponent to Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
, who has already established himself as one of the top goalies in the NHL. Players from both teams bring out their best when they play against each other, resulting in games of high entertainment value. In addition to the duel between Luongo and Kiprusoff, matchups between former Vancouver defenceman Willie Mitchell and Flames captain Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
were also noteworthy.
| Year | Where they met in playoffs | Result of series | Result of playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Smythe Division Semifinals | Van 3, Cal 0 | Vancouver swept by the New York Islanders in Cup Finals 1982 Stanley Cup Finals -References:... |
| 1983 | Smythe Division Semifinals | Cal 3, Van 1 | Calgary beaten by the Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Final in five games. |
| 1984 | Smythe Division Semifinals | Cal 3, Van 1 | Calgary beaten by the Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Final in seven games. |
| 1989 | Smythe Division Semifinals | Cal 4, Van 3 | Calgary wins Cup. |
| 1994 | Western Conference Quarterfinals | Van 4, Cal 3 | Vancouver loses to New York Rangers in Cup Finals, which like the series against Calgary, went the full seven games. |
| 2004 | Western Conference Quarterfinals | Cal 4, Van 3 | Calgary loses to Tampa Bay in Cup Finals, which like the series against Vancouver, went the full seven games. |
Freeway Face-Off: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings
The term Freeway Face-off refers to a series of games played between the Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The series takes its name from the massive freeway system in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area
Greater Los Angeles Area
The Greater Los Angeles Area, or the Southland, is a term used for the Combined Statistical Area sprawled over five counties in the southern part of California, namely Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Ventura County...
, the home of both teams; one could travel from one team's arena to the other simply by traveling along Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
. The term is akin to the Freeway Series
Freeway Series
The term Freeway Series refers to a series of baseball games played between Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League and the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League...
which refers to meetings between the Los Angeles
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
The Los Angeles metropolitan area, also known as Metropolitan Los Angeles or the Southland, is the 13th largest metropolitan area in the world and the second-largest metropolitan area in the United States....
area baseball teams.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks
The rivalry has become more heated in recent years, given three straight years of playoffs series between these teams. The first seeds of the rivalry began with a mock surrender by then-Canucks coach Roger NeilsonRoger Neilson
Roger Paul Neilson, CM was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game...
over what he deemed as questionable officiating during the 1982 Campbell Conference Finals, which began the Towel Power
Towel Power
Towel Power is a term used by the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League to describe the waving of rally towels by their fans. The tradition started in the 1982 Western Conference Finals where Vancouver played the Chicago Blackhawks...
tradition in Vancouver and elsewhere in the NHL. Vancouver prevailed in the series four games to one, but only to lose to the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup Finals in four straight games.
Although the Blackhawks swept the Canucks in the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals, it was not until the season where the rivalry was once again renewed. This was highlighted by Canucks' Ryan Kesler
Ryan Kesler
Ryan James Kesler is an American professional ice hockey center for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. Selected in the first round, 23rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Kesler has...
accusing then-Blackhawk winger Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006...
of being a "coward" after an on-ice hit. With Chicago eliminating Vancouver in the second round of the playoffs consecutively in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (and won the Stanley Cup in the later season), these two teams met again for the third straight year in the first round of the 2010-11 playoffs where the Vancouver Canucks finally defeated Chicago, in seven games. In this series, the Canucks took a three games to none series lead, but after a hit by Canucks forward Raffi Torres
Raffi Torres
Raphael "Raffi" Torres is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the New York Islanders fifth overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has additionally played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers,...
on Hawks defenceman Brent Seabrook
Brent Seabrook
Brent Seabrook is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . He was selected 14th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft out of the Western Hockey League . He played four seasons of junior with the Lethbridge...
from behind the Chicago goal in Game 3 (which brought Hawks captain Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for and is captain of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . He is currently the youngest captain in the NHL, having been appointed in 2008....
to say, "It's just concrete evidence of how much we dislike that team, and it's added motivation to our situation"), only to lose the next three games straight. In the seventh and deciding game, the Blackhawks tied the game in the final minutes, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows
Alexandre Burrows
Alexandre Ménard-Burrows is a French-Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He is known for playing in the style of an agitator and for his ascension to the NHL from being an undrafted player in the ECHL...
intercepted a clearing attempt by Blackhawks defenceman Chris Campoli
Chris Campoli
Chris Campoli is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens. Campoli previously played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.- Junior career :...
and scored on a slapshot to secure the overtime and series victory for the Canucks, en route to the Stanley Cup Finals
2011 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League , and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the 118th year of the Stanley Cup's presentation. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference Champion Vancouver...
.
Battle of Quebec: Montreal Canadiens vs. Quebec Nordiques
The Battle of Quebec is the nickname for a former National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
. The rivalry lasted from the to seasons. The teams played against each other five times in the NHL playoffs, and the Canadiens won three of the series. One meeting, in 1984, resulted in the Good Friday Massacre
Good Friday Massacre
The Good Friday Massacre, ,was a second-round playoff match-up during the 1984 NHL Playoffs. The game occurred on Good Friday, April 20, 1984 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, between the Quebec Nordiques and the Montreal Canadiens. After a number of fights, a bench-clearing brawl broke out at the end...
, a game in which multiple brawls happened. The Battle of Quebec extended to politics, in which the Canadiens and Nordiques became symbols for rival parties, and beer distribution, as the teams were both owned by competing breweries.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
The rivalry between the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
and the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
began more or less the instant the Oilers began playing in the NHL in the season. Among the first year Oilers' players included a young Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, who instantly challenged for the Art Ross Trophy against the Kings' Marcel Dionne
Marcel Dionne
Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers...
. In the end, Gretzky and Dionne were both tied with 137 points, but the award was given to Dionne, who had two more goals (53 vs. Gretzky's 51). It should also be noted that Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne's full count of 80. Gretzky remarked during a press conference at which the scoring title was awarded to Dionne that he had been taught "that an assist was good as a goal."
The two teams would not meet in the playoffs until the season. That season, Gretzky shattered the NHL record books with points in a season with 212 (92 goals and 120 assists). The Oilers also jumped to the top of their division despite playing in their third NHL season and had the third best record in the league. The Kings, after a fairly impressive season, slumped to having the fifth worst record in the 21 team NHL. They only made the playoffs, being fourth in the same division as the Oilers, because the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies (NHL)
The Colorado Rockies were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League that played in Denver, Colorado, from 1976 to 1982. They were a relocation of the Kansas City Scouts, a 1974 expansion team. The franchise moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1982 and was...
had an even worse record in their last season there. This set the stage for the top-seeded, heavily-favored Oilers to meet in the first round against the Kings. After a two-game split in Edmonton
Rexall Place
Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands. It is currently the home to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL...
, Game 3 in Los Angeles began with a commanding Oilers 5–0 lead after two periods. But in a miraculous comeback, the Kings managed to tie the game 5–5 in the third period, scoring the tying goal with 5 seconds left on a two-man advantage. The Kings would later win the game 6–5 in overtime. This game is often referred to as the Miracle on Manchester
Miracle on Manchester
The Miracle on Manchester is the nickname given to a National Hockey League playoff game between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers that took place on April 10, 1982 in the league's 65th season...
. The Oilers struck back in Game 4 to send the series back to Edmonton for the deciding game in a best of five series. However, it was the Kings who upset the Oilers and advanced to the next round.
For the next two seasons, the Kings would miss the playoffs completely while the Oilers competed in the Stanley Cup Finals in and won their first Stanley Cup in . Both finals were played against the dynasty New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The two teams finally met again in 1985, but this time the Oilers defeated the Kings in three straight games. The Oilers would go on to win their second straight Stanley Cup. They met again in 1987 under a new best of seven playoff format for the first round, and again the Oilers would win, this time in five games, and again the Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup. In 1988, the Kings were again blown out of the first round, but by the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, while Gretzky led the Oilers to another Stanley Cup.
The entire world of sports was shocked on August 9, 1988 upon the announcement of the Oilers trading Wayne Gretzky along with Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski is a retired Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the NHL, and former head coach of Vityaz Chekhov in the KHL.-Playing career:...
and Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
, to the Kings for two rising young players (Jimmy Carson
Jimmy Carson
James Charles Carson is a retired American professional hockey player. He is best known for his 10 year NHL career, spent with several teams. After retiring from professional hockey, he embarked on a new career as a financial advisor....
and Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...
), three first-round draft picks, and $15 million.
Gretzky would lead the Kings in the season to vast improvements. For the first time, the Kings had a better season record than Edmonton, finishing second in the Smythe Division over the third place Oilers. This also led to another first round match up between the Kings and Oilers. This time, it was the Kings, with Gretzky, against the Oilers, and the Kings also had home ice. The Oilers first took command of the series and jumped ahead three games to one above the Kings. But Los Angeles answered back with three straight wins to win the series against Edmonton.
In the next three playoff meetings between the two teams, the Gretzky-led Kings would be eliminated by his former teammates in four, six, and six games respectively. Edmonton also won another Stanley Cup in after sweeping the Kings in the second round.
After the season, the rivalry would die down as players from the Oilers would move to other teams. Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri
Jari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....
and Charlie Huddy
Charlie Huddy
Charles William Huddy is a former NHL defenceman and current assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He is also one of only seven Edmonton Oilers to be a member of all 5 of the franchise's Stanley Cup-winning teams 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,1990.His greatest success came with the Oilers with whom he...
would rejoin Gretzky on the Kings and go on a playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993
1993 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL championship for the 1992–93 season. It was the first appearance in the Final for the Kings, and the 34th for Montreal, their first since the 1989 Final. The Canadiens won the...
, losing to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in five games. Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
, Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Christopher Anderson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues...
, Adam Graves
Adam Graves
Adam Graves is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...
, Craig MacTavish
Craig MacTavish
Craig "MacT" MacTavish is the current head coach of the American Hockey League Chicago Wolves and a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. He played centre for 19 NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis...
, and others would move to the New York Rangers and go on a Stanley Cup winning run in 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
, which was the last hurrah for the great Edmonton team of the 1980s. In that series, Messier became the first to captain two teams to the Stanley Cup, something Gretzky couldn't do with the Kings the year before.
Battle of New England, Boston Bruins vs Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes
The rivalry was first started before the two teams ever met on the ice when the Bruins "blocked" the WHA merger in 1979 because "The Whalers were in their territory". They first played with each other in the 1979-80 season with the Bruins flourishing against the season while the "expansion" Whalers were awful that year. They played the Bruins 2 of their 3 times in their history of the playoffs. The rivalry got to a heating point when Cam NeelyCam Neely
Cameron Michael Neely is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. He currently serves as the president of the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Cam Neely was born in Comox,...
and Ulf Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently the head coach of Modo Hockey of the Elitserien . He played for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.- Biography :He specialized in heavy body checks...
would fight on a regular occasion, It got to a point where Ulf hit Neeley in the knees in the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Ulf was traded to the Penguins earlier that season. At the Hartford Civic Center, usually when the Bruins would win the Whalers fans would fight Bruins fans on Ann St in Downtown Hartford. The rivalry came to an end in 1997 when the Whalers relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina where they play to this day. But on some occasions there would be fights or an occasional and in 2009 The number 1 ranked Bruins were knocked out by Carolina in 7
games in the second round.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
The groundwork for the rivalry between the Colorado AvalancheColorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
was laid well before Denver even had an NHL franchise, during games between Detroit and the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
. Once the Nordiques moved to Denver, the small rivalry still existed. Also, in a regular season game between Detroit and the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, the Wings scored on Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
9 times, leading to Roy demanding a trade. Roy was eventually traded to Colorado and became a huge factor in the rivalry.
The rivalry was largely predicated on the competitiveness of both teams in the late 1990s and early 21st century. From to , the teams met in five playoff series, three times in the Western Conference Finals. Out of those seven seasons, the teams combined to win five Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s and four Presidents' Trophies
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
. From to , both teams, along with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, reigned exclusively as Stanley Cup champions, except in , which was won by the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
.
See also
- List of the most frequent NHL playoff series
- List of sports rivalries
- National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...