The National Hockey League (NHL) is widely known for some of the most intense rivalries in sports. Games frequently feature shouting matches, violent brawls, and steady injuries are all very common. Though there are many rivalries, some are culturally and historically more significant.
One of the most important rivalries in the NHL is between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. It is also the first known rivalry in the league and is considered one of sports greatest rivalries. Both teams first played each other on December 8, 1924, and have gone on to play more times than any other two teams, with the Canadiens holding an all-time series lead of 469-347-103-10 in 929 games including the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The two teams have won 26 Stanley Cups between them, with most of it coming from the Canadiens with 24 Cups and two for the Bruins. Games between the two teams often feature high intensity and many physical battles until the end of the game.
The Canadiens turned out to be the better team in most of the games, deservingly being the most successful franchise in the league. However, the Bruins have been their toughest opponents, making their games a must-watch for hockey fans. Also, the Canadiens haven't always dominated the rivalry from the onset. The Bruins had the advantage in the late 60 and early 70s.
The Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings rivalry is another iconic rivalry in the NHL. It started in the mid-1990s and reached its peak in 1997. It has been widely described as the most intense rivalry in the history of the NHL.
In the 1994 Stanley Cup final, the Red Wings lost to the New Jersey Devils amid constant provocation from Devils forward Claude Lemieux. The following season, Lemieux signed for Avalanche and injured Reds defenseman Kris Draper during a game with a late hit to the board and caused several facial injuries to Draper.
Both teams played three times in the next regular season without any noteworthy incidents. However, in the fourth game on March 26, 1997, the NHL witnessed its most violent game in history. The brawl, nicknamed Bloody Wednesday, included nine separate fights and several injuries throughout the game. The Red Wings would go on to win 6-5. The game is considered a symbolic moment in the history of modern hockey.
Another significant NHL rivalry in the league is the Canadiens-Maple Leafs' rivalry. The game was played between two of the oldest NHL teams, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, first on December 26, 1917. Both teams play in the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference, with the Montreal Canadiens holding a time series lead of 408-328-88-12 in 836 matches.
Despite being the oldest teams in the league and among the Original Six NHL teams, they never really dominated the league until the 1940s when they won the Stanley Cup seven times between them, with the Maple Leafs winning five times and two for the Canadiens.
However, their rivalry reached its peak in the 1960s and was primarily caused by the long-standing feud between their respective coaches, Toe Blake for the Canadiens and George Imlach for Maple Leafs. In its entirety, the Canadian-Maple Leafs' rivalry has produced 16 Stanley Cup playoff series, including five finals. Although the rivalry between the two teams has faded over the years, it remains a historical symbol in the NHL and Canadian sports culture.
One of the most important rivalries in the NHL is between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. It is also the first known rivalry in the league and is considered one of sports greatest rivalries. Both teams first played each other on December 8, 1924, and have gone on to play more times than any other two teams, with the Canadiens holding an all-time series lead of 469-347-103-10 in 929 games including the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The two teams have won 26 Stanley Cups between them, with most of it coming from the Canadiens with 24 Cups and two for the Bruins. Games between the two teams often feature high intensity and many physical battles until the end of the game.
The Canadiens turned out to be the better team in most of the games, deservingly being the most successful franchise in the league. However, the Bruins have been their toughest opponents, making their games a must-watch for hockey fans. Also, the Canadiens haven't always dominated the rivalry from the onset. The Bruins had the advantage in the late 60 and early 70s.
The Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings rivalry is another iconic rivalry in the NHL. It started in the mid-1990s and reached its peak in 1997. It has been widely described as the most intense rivalry in the history of the NHL.
In the 1994 Stanley Cup final, the Red Wings lost to the New Jersey Devils amid constant provocation from Devils forward Claude Lemieux. The following season, Lemieux signed for Avalanche and injured Reds defenseman Kris Draper during a game with a late hit to the board and caused several facial injuries to Draper.
Both teams played three times in the next regular season without any noteworthy incidents. However, in the fourth game on March 26, 1997, the NHL witnessed its most violent game in history. The brawl, nicknamed Bloody Wednesday, included nine separate fights and several injuries throughout the game. The Red Wings would go on to win 6-5. The game is considered a symbolic moment in the history of modern hockey.
Another significant NHL rivalry in the league is the Canadiens-Maple Leafs' rivalry. The game was played between two of the oldest NHL teams, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, first on December 26, 1917. Both teams play in the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference, with the Montreal Canadiens holding a time series lead of 408-328-88-12 in 836 matches.
Despite being the oldest teams in the league and among the Original Six NHL teams, they never really dominated the league until the 1940s when they won the Stanley Cup seven times between them, with the Maple Leafs winning five times and two for the Canadiens.
However, their rivalry reached its peak in the 1960s and was primarily caused by the long-standing feud between their respective coaches, Toe Blake for the Canadiens and George Imlach for Maple Leafs. In its entirety, the Canadian-Maple Leafs' rivalry has produced 16 Stanley Cup playoff series, including five finals. Although the rivalry between the two teams has faded over the years, it remains a historical symbol in the NHL and Canadian sports culture.
