Coming off the BoA, I was wondering where this rivalry matches up among other rivalries in the NHL.
I personally think the BoA has consistently been the most intense and interesting rivalry, but I know that as a fan, I am not sure if I am being objective. There was a period where both or one of the teams were not competitive and the rivalry was only simmering, but it was always there.
Some rivalries to consider:
NYR vs. NYI
This one is intense in its own right, but it seems to ebb and flow a lot. At times it seems really heated, but at others is seems kind of meh.
Pens vs. Flyers
Similar to the New York rivalry, but probably less intense. Although I sense it never really simmers down either.
Battle of Florida
Somewhat of a newer one. Their geographical placement seemed to force a rivalry that was largely inconsequential over the years, but now that both teams are competitive at the same time, it is heating up. When people call it a "battle", it still seems kind of forced though. I don't think the same hatred is there like in the BoA.
Habs vs. Bruins
It doesn't seem very intense these days, likely because the Habs suck. Historically, it was a doozy though and a lot of hockey lore was born from this rivalry.
Hawks vs. Blues
Is it's hay days, it was a monster rivalry. In the 1990s especially, these two teams hated each other possibly more than any other teams in history. The hate went from the front offices, to the players on the ice, and the fans in the stands. For intensity, it was a 10/10. They met like 6 or 7 times in the playoffs in the 1990s, and had one game where something like 13 players were ejected. Probably loses marks for longevity though because it seemed to fizzle out now.
Habs vs. Nords
Obviously the rivalry no longer exists, but it was a good one back in the day. Even today, Quebec City seems to have a lot of Bruins fans just because they hated Montreal so much.
Flames vs. Canucks
Not as intense as the BoA obviously, but due to being division rivals and several playoff series against each other, it has been and still is a decent rivalry. Not sure where to rank it overall.
Avs vs. Wings
Met in the WC finals 4 times between 1996 and 2000, then again in 2008. They were 2 of the best teams in the league at the time and both won Cups. Their record against each other was 17-17, so it was really even. The rivalry spilled over into the regular season and their games were always intense. Unfortunately, the league killed it when the Wings were sent to the EC. Another one that is a 10/10 for intensity at the time, but fizzled out and I don't think it exists at all any more.
Leafs vs. Sens vs. Habs
These ones seem kind of forced to me. The Sens haven't really developed a natural rivalry with anyone, so they use geography to push it. Pure marketing IMO.
Leafs vs. Habs
I have a hard time judging this one. I think it just boils down to them being the original Canadian teams still operating today and the fact they have fanbases that stretch across the country. Not an overly interesting rivalry IMO, but maybe my western bias is showing here.
Caps vs. Pens
This one seems based on there being 2 really competitive teams, but is more personality based with players. At one time, people argued about who was better between Crosby and Ovechkin, but that doesn't seem to be debated much any more. Crosby seems to be recognized as the better overall player, but Ovechkin as the better pure goal scorer. There is also a rivalry between Malkin and Ovechkin as the two have traded disses in the past. I don't hold this as a very important rivalry, but that is just me. Another one that seems to have been driven more by marketing than anything.
I am sure I am missing some, so help me fill in the gaps.
Just based on my completely non-objective perspective and limited knowledge, my top 5 favourites are:
1. BoA
Best rivalry when you consider intensity and longevity.
2. NYR vs. NYI
Not quite as consistently as intense as the BoA, but extra points for longevity.
3. Avs vs. Wings
The intensity was nuts and the games between them were always consequential and meaningful. The entertainment value was incredible. Unfortunately, they lose points because the rivalry is largely historic now.
4. Hawks vs. Blues
See the comment above.
5. Habs vs. Bruins
Just due to the really long history and even though the intensity has ebbed and flow, the rivalry seems to persist. Plus, the whole Rocket Richard riots started there, which is such a big part of hockey lore. I also love organic rivalries that are dictated less by geography, and more because of the meaningfulness of the games that were played.
Flames specific rivalries:
1. BoA
2. Canucks
3. Anaheim (Duck fans probably don't feel it, could just be in my head)
4. Toronto
5. Montreal
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While rivalries aren’t what they used to be, I personally believe the Montreal / Boston rivalry is alive and well. Go to a game in Montreal on a Saturday night and tell me these there’s an extra buzz in the air. Battle of Alberta is probably second to it I’d say.
I would say for most of the last 20 years the Flames had a more intense rivalry with the Canucks than with the Oilers, and the BoA only picked up again after the Oilers got McDavid and started climbing back towards being competitive while the Canucks started on a downtrend as well as having far fewer hateable personalities.
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I would say for most of the last 20 years the Flames had a more intense rivalry with the Canucks than with the Oilers, and the BoA only picked up again after the Oilers got McDavid and started climbing back towards being competitive while the Canucks started on a downtrend as well as having far fewer hateable personalities.
2004-2015 the rivarly with the Canucks was bigger for sure. Bookended by the two playoff series against one another.
Then funny part is timing pretty much exactly coincides with Canucks kind of starting their re-tool, and Oilers getting gifted McDavid and becoming relevant again.
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Lets be honest. Oilers were pretty much irrelevant until they were gifted McDavid. Had they not got McDavid, I'd argue they'd continue to be irrelevant to this day. They'd most likely be spinning their wheels the same way Buffalo is currently doing.
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Lets be honest. Oilers were pretty much irrelevant until they were gifted McDavid. Had they not got McDavid, I'd argue they'd continue to be irrelevant to this day. They'd most likely be spinning their wheels the same way Buffalo is currently doing.
Pretty much, I remember being in my teens and I'd basically expect us to beat them every single time, I wasn't hoping for a win, I was hoping for a 10 goal blowout
There's two types of rivalry. The Geographic ones where teams in similar regions always square off. Occasionally these grow when those two teams ascend in terms of place in the league. Than you have the shorter term ones where it's entirely based on your standing in the league.
Flames and Oilers always was there, but it's heating up after being simmered down for about 30 years save a couple spots where both teams were in the playoff mix.
The Canuck rivalry was more the second type where 2004 to 2009 it was pretty good but fizzled as the Flames started to fade. Rekindled a bit in 2015 on the heels of the Harley/Torts line brawl, but fizzled as the Canucks faded off. I would think most Canucks fans will likely say that from 2009 to 2012 that the Blackhawks became their rival.
The Geographic ones are longer lasting and in the right circumstances become the most intense. But those short lived ones based on team performance are always intense.
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The oilers have several great rivalries, completely winning in two and losing in the other.
Oilers vs. Decency: At no point will the oilers ever let decency get the victory in stinkville. Oilers vs. Salary Cap: Like the Flames in Honda Center, I don't think the oilers will ever manage to get the upper hand here.
And of course, the true epic rivalry for the ages....
Oilers vs. Goodness: oilers maintain a lifetime undefeated record against goodness, and will forever be known as No Good.
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Met in the WC finals 4 times between 1996 and 2000, then again in 2008. They were 2 of the best teams in the league at the time and both won Cups. Their record against each other was 17-17, so it was really even. The rivalry spilled over into the regular season and their games were always intense. Unfortunately, the league killed it when the Wings were sent to the EC. Another one that is a 10/10 for intensity at the time, but fizzled out and I don't think it exists at all any more.
...
This rivalry was put on steroids after the horrible vicious hit by Claude Lemieux on Draper in 1996. Then, it kinda died after about 10 years or so. Draper wrote a good article about this in the Athletic. Worth reading.
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It must have been super annoying to Hawks fans that Brett Hull was the Blues star player and knocked them out of the playoffs with a game winning goal considering that Bobby Hull was a hero and legend in Chicago. That would be like if Iginla's son were to become a star for the Oilers and the same thing happened.
Also the switching sides of players and coaches. Jacque Martin left St. Louis, then became an assistant in Chicago. Imagine if our head coach did that?
I also couldn't help but notice a lot of Flames connections in that rivalry.
Just on Chicago alone... Greg Gilbert, Yawny, Peluso, Brian Sutter, J. Lemieux, Konroyd, Grimson, Bassen, Steve Smith, Bryan Marchment, Matteau, McAmmond, Jim Playfair, Mike Keenan.
Then on the Blues, Lowry, Hull, Gilmour, Joseph, Quinn, Ron Sutter, Housley at the very tail end.
Both teams had a Sutter on them as well (Duane and Ron in Chicago, and Rich in St. Louis, plus Brian Sutter coached the Hawks).
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Also the switching sides of players and coaches. Jacque Martin left St. Louis, then became an assistant in Chicago. Imagine if our head coach did that?
Well Glen Gulutzan and Jim Playfair both did that.
But it was Glen Gulutzan and Jim Playfair so nobody cared.
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Well Glen Gulutzan and Jim Playfair both did that.
But it was Glen Gulutzan and Jim Playfair so nobody cared.
With the Hawks and Blues at the time, the Blues let Martin go because they were sure that they were going to get Keenan, who at the time was the prized NHL coach on the market. The Hawks then went and offered Keenan more money, so he went there instead leaving the Blues hooped. Then Chicago hired Martin as an assistant under Keenan.
The hate must have been crazy.
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Best Rivalries in the NHL
