Introduction
Hockey is a sport that is known for its fast-paced action, physicality and skill. The sport has a rich history and has given us some of the greatest rivalries in the world of sports. Rivalries are an integral part of any sport and add an extra dimension of excitement and drama to the game. Rivalries create intense passion and a deep sense of loyalty among fans, creating an emotional connection with the teams and players. These rivalries, built over decades, are a testament to the commitment and dedication of the players and fans involved. In this article, we will take a retrospective look at the ultimate rivalries in hockey and delve into the history of these historic matchups.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins
The rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins is one of the most intense and historic rivalries in all of sports, not just hockey. These two teams have played against each other more times than any other two teams in NHL history. Their first playoff series played in 1928 planted the seeds for the long-standing rivalry. The Canadiens and Bruins have met 34 times in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with Montreal winning 25 of those series.
The rivalry has been fueled by intense physicality and competitiveness, with both teams playing an aggressive style of hockey. The Canadiens are known for their swift and lethal attacks, while the Bruins are known for their rugged and tough defence.
The rivalry has also seen some of the greatest players in NHL history competing against each other. Legends like Rocket Richard, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Wayne Cashman, and Ray Bourque have all played a pivotal role in shaping this rivalry.
The rivalry was at its peak during the 1970s, with the Bruins and Canadiens facing off against each other in three consecutive playoff series from 1977 to 1979. The 1977 series saw a controversial call by the referee, which led to violent fan reactions and resulted in damaged equipment and buildings and a seven-year waiting period before the teams met again in the playoffs.
The intensity of the rivalry had a calming period in the 80s but was briefly reignited in the late 90s and early 2000s when the Bruins and Canadiens met in back-to-back playoff series.
During their long-standing rivalry, the Canadiens and Bruins have played each other a total of 743 times. As of the 2019-20 season, The Canadiens hold a record of 362 wins, 289 losses, 98 ties, and 4 overtime losses.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks is another historic rivalry in the NHL. These two Original Six teams have played against each other almost 1,000 times, with Detroit holding a slim lead in all-time victories.
The rivalry dates back to the early days of the NHL, with both teams dominating the league during the 1920s and 1930s. The rivalry was further fueled by the two teams’ proximity, with Detroit and Chicago just a few hours apart. The mutual dislike between the two cities added an extra layer of passion to the rivalry.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 1990s when both teams were at the top of their game. The Red Wings had a dominant team led by Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, and Nicklas Lidstrom, while the Blackhawks had a young and talented team led by Jeremy Roenick, Ed Belfour, and Chris Chelios. The two teams met in the playoffs five times during the decade, with the Red Wings winning three of those series.
The rivalry had a hiatus in the early 2000s, but it was reignited in 2009 when the Red Wings and Blackhawks met in the Western Conference finals. The series was a classic, with the Blackhawks coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win in overtime in the seventh game.
The rivalry between the Red Wings and Blackhawks has produced some of the greatest players in NHL history, including Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, and Patrick Kane.
As of the 2019-20 season, the Red Wings and Blackhawks have faced each other a total of 969 times, with the Red Wings winning 415 games, the Blackhawks winning 379 games, and 166 games ending in a tie.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
The rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in NHL history. The two teams have a combined 37 Stanley Cup victories, with Montreal leading the way with 24 championships.
The rivalry dates back to the early days of the NHL, when the Maple Leafs were known as the Toronto Arenas. The two teams played each other in the NHL’s first-ever game on December 19, 1917, with Montreal winning 10-9.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 1950s, with both teams dominating the NHL. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens met in the Stanley Cup finals five times during the decade, with the Maple Leafs winning four of those series. The 1960s saw the Canadiens dominate the rivalry, winning five Stanley Cups in the decade and defeating the Maple Leafs four times in the playoffs.
The rivalry between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens has also produced some of the greatest players in NHL history, including Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Doug Gilmour, and Mats Sundin.
As of the 2019-20 season, the Maple Leafs and Canadiens have faced each other 849 times, with Montreal holding a record of 339 wins, 299 losses, 110 ties, and 7 overtime losses.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
The rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames is a unique one, as both teams are located in the province of Alberta. The rivalry is known as the Battle of Alberta and has a rich history dating back to the late 1970s.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 1980s when both teams had some of the greatest players in NHL history. The Oilers were led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey, while the Flames were led by Lanny McDonald, Al MacInnis, and Mike Vernon. The two teams met in the playoffs three times during the decade, with the Oilers winning all three series.
The rivalry between the Oilers and Flames is known for its physicality and intensity, with both teams playing an aggressive style of hockey. The rivalry also has a deep sense of pride and loyalty among the fans, with each city fiercely supporting their team.
The rivalry has also produced some of the most iconic moments in NHL history, including the 1984 brawls between the teams and Gretzky’s 50th goal in 39 games in 1981.
As of the 2019-20 season, the Oilers and Flames have faced each other 276 times, with Edmonton holding a record of 126 wins, 116 losses, and 34 ties.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers is one of the most intense and heated rivalries in the NHL. The two teams are located just a few hours apart, and their fan bases have a deep sense of pride and loyalty.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 1990s, with both teams having some of the greatest players in NHL history. The Penguins were led by Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, while the Flyers were led by Eric Lindros and John LeClair. The two teams met in the playoffs five times during the decade, with the Penguins winning three of those series.
The rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers is known for its physicality and rough play, with both teams playing an aggressive style of hockey. The rivalry has also produced some of the most memorable moments in NHL history, including the Flyers’ “Broad Street Bullies” era in the 1970s and Lemieux’s five-goal performance in 1988.
As of the 2019-20 season, the Penguins and Flyers have faced each other 315 times, with Pittsburgh holding a record of 154 wins, 128 losses, and 33 ties.
Conclusion
Rivalries are an integral part of any sport, but in hockey, they are taken to another level. The five rivalries mentioned above are some of the oldest, most intense and historic rivalries in NHL history. These rivalries have seen some of the greatest players in NHL history compete against each other and have produced some of the most spectacular moments in sports history.
As the NHL continues to evolve and change, it is certain that new rivalries will emerge. However, the rich history and tradition of these historic matchups will never be forgotten, and the passion and intensity they bring to the game of hockey will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans.