Rivalries…the Backbone of the NHL (Pt.6)

This will be the last rivalries piece for a while, but I would like to thank everyone for their contributions.  You’ve made this a very successful segment, and a very entertaining read for visitors.

Now onto my picks.  In a sense, I feel like some of them might be biased due to writing this article after two solid rivalry games last night.  But hey, they didn’t disappoint, so why leave them out?  Enjoy!
-

5) Rick Nash vs. TJ Oshie

Going off the board a little bit here with my first pick.  But who didn’t enjoy Oshie knocking Nash over – twice – in back-to-back games last year.  With not a lot of exposure to the Western Conference until the playoffs, these hits made front page news and was the beginning of Oshie-mania in St. Louis.  However, in true Nash fashion, he bounced back from the big hits with a goal in the first game, and a hardworking assist on the second.  This rivalry should only blossom this season, unless Oshie decides not to “poke the bear”.
-

4) Marian Hossa vs. Previous Teams…and their fans

How many enemies has Hossa made in the past two seasons?  About three teams worth and all of their fans.  He left Ilya Kovalchuk in Atlanta alone to rot in search of a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh.  Then, he decided to not re-sign with the cup finalist Penguins to sign with the cup winning Detroit Red Wings, despite a personal phone call made by Sidney Crosby asking him to come back.  With much promise in Detroit to produce another cup, Hossa faltered in the post-season, and – adding insult to injury – the Wings fell to the Penguins in seven games.  He then left Detroit to join the conference finalist Chicago Blackhawks, but is out until at least December with a bum shoulder.  No one knows where the Hossa carousel will take us next.  One thing for sure is that he’s got 12 more years in Chicago to prove that he is finally worth the money he’s being paid.  If not, he could go down as one of the biggest risk/non-reward players in NHL history.
-

3) Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers – Battle of Alberta

Regardless of what you may think, I did not include this in my list just because Scott said no one else did.  I truly believe that this is one of the biggest rivalries in the NHL today.  Another example of the quality of games these two teams play was on display again last night.  Hard hits, a last-minute goal, and an exciting shootout gave an Edmonton arena packed with both Oiler and Flames fans one of the most entertaining games of the season.  The rivalry began in the mid-1980’s, when both the Oilers and Flames boasted Stanley Cup contending teams.  It continued throughout the 90’s and into the 2000’s, with the teams meeting five times in the playoffs since 1991.  One of the lighter side moments in the rivalry came in 2003 when then Oiler coach Craigh MacTavish pulled the tongue out of Flames’ mascot Harvey the Hound.  In the end though, like any other rivalry, once you join either team, you instantly are required to hate the other.
-

2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers – Battle of Pennsylvania

If last night’s game was any indication, this rivalry has no love loss.  Games between these two teams have picked up in the recent past, especially now that they are two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.  A few seasons ago however, both of these teams were very mediocre, so it was hard to draw interest from non die-hard fans.  With the Flyers addition of Chris Pronger, the on-going Sidney Crosby/Mike Richards battle, and – according to reports – the alleged biting of Kris Letang by Scott Hartnell last night, the battle should only heat up the next time they play each other.  With many predictions indicating a Pens/Flyers conference final, this rivalry should be a thing of beauty during the playoffs as well.
-

1) New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders – Battle of New York

On a recent road trip to watch John Tavares’ first NHL game, I gained a greater respect – at points even fear – of this multi-decade rivalry.  Most of the stories came from a man we’ll call “Drunk Rob”.  He has been around for fourty-some years, and has lived through many of battles between these two historic teams.  He told me stories of his trips to Madison Square Garden as an Islander fan; booze, beers, slander, fights, blood, cops, baseball bats…you name it, it was involved in some shape or form.

From the tailgating spot where we were in the parking lot, every fan that wanted to enter the building had to go through these people.  At one point, a Rangers fan got out of his car – keep in mind it was a Penguins game – and he was showered with chants and beer cans.  “Drunk Rob” then told me a story of how even the kids weren’t safe.  He said that a 12 year old boy got in his face once, and he one-punched him to the ground…and got a standing ovation from the Isles fans around him.  The was one major point that put this rivalry at the top of my list in the countdown.  It was that there is no regional boundaries for this rivalry.  You could be an Islanders fan sitting in your living room, and the guy on the pillow next door could be a Rangers fan.

Now, even though both teams haven’t faced each other in the playoffs for quite some time – circa 1993-94 – this rivalry is still stronger than ever.  And now, with Tavares and Michael Del Zotto poised to lead their teams in the future, it won’t be long before these two bitter rivals will renew their hostilities – not only in the regular season – but in the playoffs.

On and off the ice.

Topics: Atlanta Thrashers, Battle of Alberta, Battle of New York, Battle of Pennsylvania, Calgary Flamers, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, John Tavares, Marian Hossa, Michael Del Zotto, Mike Richards, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, NHL Rivalries, NHL Rivalries 2009-10, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rick Nas, Sidney Crosby, TJ Oshie

Latest Headlines

• Hoefflin performs in shutdown role
• Yakupov Leading The Way
• Quinn and Recchi Lead Prospects into Kelowna
• All Eyes on Faksa
• ASG Skills Competition Participants Selected
• Hyka’s NHL Team in Limbo
• Excitement Builds for NHL Prospects Game
• Mrazek shines in first Under-20 experience
• No More Mr. Magician
• Sweden Relishes World Junior Glory
• Beaulieu a prized prospect for Montreal
• Team Canada set to face Russia in WJC Semifinal
• Sergeev is Foreurs jack-of-all-trades
• Gibson forged interesting path to Team Finland cage
• Q Round-up: American Coyle signs with Sea Dogs

In The News

Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for U-17 Hockey Challenge

Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for first taste of international competition at the U-17 Hockey Challenge, competing with Team Ontario at the end of the month in Windsor, Ontario

Gourde keeping pace with the scoring leaders

Victoriaville forward wrestles scoring lead with help from Tigres linemate, team depth

Abeltshauser adds leadership, control from blueline

German defenceman plays solid two-way hockey for Halifax and on the world stage

Richard Finding Success in Guelph

Another of the OHL's Tanner's - Richard that is - is the Storm's leading scorer and will suit up for Switzerland at the U-20’s

Canadian World Junior Team Announced

Hockey Canada announced Thursday Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship