The Fiercest RIVALRIES in the NHL (...some are downright NASTY)

Here's a comprehensive overview of the NHL's best rivalries! Devils vs Rangers, Blackhawks vs Blues, Red Wings vs Avalanche, there are dozens of intense, fierce battles between opponents like these. We'll cover the best historic and current rivalries for all 32 teams! What's your favorite moment in your favorite team's best rivalry? Comment below, and stick around for all sorts of content on hockey history & culture!
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[@bradleykramer316]

I'm just glad you recognized the Rangers-Bruins rivalry. New York vs. Boston is always a big deal and very scrappy no matter the sport. Despite being a original 6 rivalry, people seem to not mention it despite the fact the two teams play around Thanksgiving every year, and have always played each other very tough. Brad Marchand vs. Artemi Panarin was the latest milestone. And ever since the Whalers left, the New York-Boston rivalry can also be considered the Battle for Connecticut, fighting for the fans left in the ashes of the Whalers' departure.

[@klompsauce]

I am old enough to remember Lemuix’s hit on Draper, that rivalry was special.

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

Me too. That rivalry was something.

[@DavidThomas005]

I’m not but my dad goes crazy about it

[@brianstewart2215]

Yeah that rivalry was the only other games I would watch religiously if my team wasn’t playing cause you knew it was was gonna be a knock down drag out kind of old hockey night.

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

And them players: Forsberg, Sakic, Deadmarsh, Yzerman, Shanahan, McCarthy, Lidström, Roy, Vernon, Foote, Fedorov etc. Those were the days. Hockey nowadays is shite.

[@nickgangone9541]

These two teams were so evenly matched, must see games in 96-97

[@joshsinclair1796]

For a new fan like myself, this video is invaluable. Now I know exactly which regular season games will be the most heated! I was curious why the recent Canucks vs Flames game I saw had so much physicality haha

[@darrencole97]

We still chant 1940 at Islander’s games it doesn’t matter that the Rangers have won in 1994 because it still pisses them off now. We love chanting it even if we aren’t playing them.

[@andrewklaver2070]

What makes that Mike Smith vs Cam Talbot goalie fight even crazier is that they were LITERALLY traded for each other the previous off-season

[@alexandrethibault2482]

I'm 20 minutes in, yet not a word about the wildest rivalry witnessed on Québec history: Montréal vs Nordiques...Before, we Québécoisfrancos had 1 club: Canadiens. From 1979 until 1995, Québécois society was divided! It was on so many levels...

[@humankirk9196]

Habs Nordiques was so visceral because it wasn't just on the ice (that was wild too) but between fans, workplaces, schools, even families. It even took a clearly political dimension, with the Oui side being for the rebel Nordiques and the Non side being for the establishment Canadiens. Oh, and Quebec folk hero Rocket Richard was the inaugural coach of the Nordiques. For decades afterwards, both Hab coach Jean Perron and Nords coach Michel Bergeron became sparring partners in post-game shows. The long-running TV series Lance et Compte was directly inspired by that rivalry. Another weird one? The Nords inaugural season coincides with the first Quebec referendum; the Nords last seaspn coincides with the second Quebec referendum. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced it can even imagine.

[@charlesbabcock1530]

Blues-Hawks in the Chuck Norris division days were must see games. Attended a bunch of those...

[@jontarr7444]

Truth! Wildest games/crowds I've ever seen in person

[@MrToxicoreo]

Basically, every team in the East v Boston.

[@ratcageproductions]

Great video man! You can tell it was well researched

[@Cheyennemae.A]

Great video I loved getting to learn more about my team and other NHL teams. Another video idea I have would be talking about the NHLs top ten current goalies (goalies that are currently in the NHL). I’d love to know what makes them so great.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

I appreciate your suggestion; I have thought of something similar as well 😎

[@vanessastegall]

Las Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks. Sorry not sorry, Nick! I’m still sore about that Stanley Cup Major penalty

[@goldtigre4979]

Aw man the Jack Edwards call on Bergeron’s game 7 OT goal in 2013 is absolutely legendary

[@cleech74]

Just found your channel. Great content. Thoroughly enjoyed this video, and the one about franchise traditions. Liked & subbed.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Thanks for checking out my vids, more to come!

[@DBSG1976]

Great video idea!

[@CruelUnknown]

I loved when the sharks and the red wings were battling out. Thate was a great rivalry imo

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

100%!

[@davidford3968]

My favorite moment was Max Talbot shushing the flyers fans in the 2009 ECQF. It was awesome

[@TheStupidSeal10-3-07]

Been waiting for this one. Also thanks for the shoutout (kinda) Love our little love mostly hate relationship with Dallas, a little southern rivalry and hospitality, ya know?

[@OfftheWallHockey]

Now this is my kind of video. Congrats on 10K dude

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Thank you, Jon!

[@pianotalent6437]

Another great video man. I’ve been off KZbin a while I gotta catch up with your videos and your live streams again! Playoffs are coming quick!

[@Migmaw]

New subscriber 👊🏼 loving these videos, im a wings fan since birth 😂 im 51 born and raised in the same place as the Great One #99 😂 my older brothers actually beat up the Gretzky's and their cousins after one of Waynes Jr games here in Brantford at a stoplight at the corner of Stanley and Colbourne Streets if a Gretzky ever reads this 😂. Anyhow i am a huge hockey fan bigger Red Wings fan but i love any and all hockey and i grew up watching the greats of every team and it was amazing watching the team Canadas back then, i got to watch the games in Hamilton Ontario at Copps Colesium with Gretzky and Lemieux connecting for the game winner over the USSR and the place where Fedorov fled the team USSR and immigrated to the U.S and Red Wings. 👊🏼 Stay Blessed and keep these coming

[@jonjanson2]

Nice video. It was long I watched it at 1.5 speed. (Expect for the Blues!) lots of Western teams has the Red wings. I would say. The Brouwer goal vs the Blackhawks you should is a top moment in Blues history. It is up there with the Pat Maroon double OT game 7 goal and win vs Boston in finals. Very interesting video! Lots of teams do the Beat LA chant in many different sports.

[@TayR0C]

Probably because the Wings used to be in the Western Conference, same with the BJ's and the Leafs.

[@kennymik1509]

GREAT VIDEO!! Buffalo and Quebec were some battles for Shure!!! Also, Buffalo and Hartford were quite the slam jam. One time Sabres and Whalers went at it SOOOO rough during the game that it later escalated after the game in a local Buffalo bar. The resulting scrum found the Whalers having to have to come back to Buffalo to stand in a court room in front of a judge. They were NOT happy. Aww....too bad. Thanks for this great video!

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Thanks for your comment, great way for me to start my day! I'd consider producing a video on some "forgotten rivalries" like the ones you mentioned - since I didn't focus on any teams that used to play in different cities (well, apart from that North Stars bit against the Blackhawks).

[@kennymik1509]

@@TwistedWristerHockey Same here, what a way to start a day. Yeah, your current and historical teams make a great set of matchups. Currently I'd have to say Buffalo and Toronto are a matchup of very worthy quality. Although many Leafs fans show up in Buffalo and vice versa, it's usually "clean"... hard battle but lacking fisticuffs. Oh well, thanks to folks like you, we can enjoy some "old time hockey ". Keep rockin'.

[@FriedRys]

Nice video, ya got a new subscriber. Pretty funny that the Bruins are part of no less than 7 major rivalries.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

For sure. That's the product of always being relevant and having a great mix of heroes and villains. Thanks for the Sub!

[@bigred3164]

You forgot to mention that, at one point, the Red Wings and Blackhawks were both owned by the Norris family.

[@AlexanderTate.]

The Devils and Rangers games yesterday 4/3/24 was crazy. start of game at puck drop was three fights. it was a good game. watch it if you havent.

[@gidzmobug2323]

The Avs/DRW rivalry from the 1990s was fierce! The Kings/Ducks rivalry (aka The Freeway Faceoff) can get feisty.

[@GarretMartinn]

Favorite rivalry moments is easily seven in game seven against Patrick. Not even close. It was so beyond expectation. The 2002 finals were pretty much a formality even though it was a greater series than credited because it was only five games. 2002 against Colorado is where the Stanley Cup was won. And seven against Patrick… Well against Colorado in game seven is the singular rivalry smashing moment for me.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Wouldn't that be something if Stevie Y could get this group in the final in a couple years while the Avs still have most of their top weapons. The documentary Unrivaled (especially the extended version) was a real treat. Noted on the series against the Jackets & '91 Blues!

[@Kcman1827]

Not a fan of the Blue Jackets, but clinging that first playoff series win was something special. Additonally, I know this video was made before the Panthers v Sens game on the 27th of November, but that line brawl and the fact that the Tkachuk brothers have made impacts on their respective teams, a sens/panthers rivalry could blossom soon.

[@tgs2141]

As a Sens fan I can say that our biggest rivals recently have been 1: Toronto 2: Buffalo 3: Montreal 4: Philadelphia 5: Pittsburgh Honourable mention, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Sens and Red Wings start to get one going, after hit on Larkin it seems like things are getting heated

[@mariovaccarella6854]

I guess my 2 favorite moments is in 1979, when The Rangers beat The Islanders to go to The Stanley Cup Finals & in 1994, when The Rangers did a sweep of The Islanders in The First Round en route to Their Stanley Cup Win.

[@geoffstonehouse5829]

Teams have tried to force their way into a rivalry with Calgary or Edmonton, but that rivalry is almost unmatched in the league, and that will never change.

[@serialmiller1987]

My favourite rivalry moment, I would have to say the Penguins-Capitals series from 2009, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (the less I say about the last one the better). Particularly, Crosby's and Ovi's dueling hat tricks in 2009. Honorable mention goes to Nick Bonino's OT series clincher in Game 6 in 2016.

[@casartherandom3010]

Honestly, for the Blackhawks v Blues rivalry, my favorite moment was when the Blues beat them in Round 1 in 2016 in game 7. That Troy Brouwer goal will forever be in my memory.

[@jermhanson13]

Red Wings v Avalanche is my fav. Legendary in the 90’s.

[@Sabotage_Labs]

Every time the Flyers beat the Punkguins.... Is my fav! 😜

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Phil's Brother, Tony O Esposito was his Vice President/GM in Tampa Bay. Both were Former Chicago Black Hawks

[@kindatoxic1474]

As a Coyotes fan its the Dustin Brown knee on knee in those playoffs that makes us hate them so much.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Oh I call him "Dirty Dustin Brown" for a reason

[@nickp8827]

Damn u underrated u will blow up

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

From one Nick P to another, thank you so much. I'm saving this in my "favorite comments" folder on my laptop 😎 Will definitely keep folks posted when I solidify my travel plans...we'll see if the Capitals continue to stay in the top-3 in the Metro, then I'll have no choice but to see a game!

[@KamaiyahFurriends]

I dont have no favorite team but mtl vs boston been rough for a whole century now

[@michaelthompson6800]

great video bro my favorite fight was crosby vs tk crosby beat him bad

[@CK_Chase]

😭😭

[@kodakcourage7255]

As a Kings fan, this video was amazingly put together. Sharks fans have my respect over the rest of the Pacific.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Thank you! This goes right into my "favorite comments" folder on my laptop. One day our rivalry will truly renew 👑🦈

[@strongarm_11]

Damn, these are kinda crazy. I remember hearing about these when I wasn’t into hockey, I’m surprised I remember a lot of these. As a lightning fan, boy do I f#%king hate those blue jackets for embarrassing us in 2019 and making the bolts a meme. Ironic I also really like the bruins as there my 2nd favorite team. I also have a suggestion for a video, do a comparison of all the NHL teams to a NFL, NBA, or MLB team of your choice. Trust me, some teams are pretty similar historically and currently.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

OH! I think someone else may have suggested that a while back...I love that idea!

[@strongarm_11]

⁠@@TwistedWristerHockeyglad you like the idea 👍 Some similarities I thought of are… leafs and Cleveland browns (both cursed as f#%k and long championship drought). Canucks and Phoenix suns (both failed to win in all their finals appearances). And probably Canadians and those damn Yankees (lots of championships, haven’t won in a while).

[@dioshiba6066]

6:04 That goes without saying that was born out of a historic rivalry between Boston and Hartford back when the Whalers were around.

[@EzraStrayer]

Sabres and flyers have a great rivalry

[@actual90]

I would argue that the Ducks honorable mentions should be the Oilers and Preds. The Red Wings feels to be too much draped in history.

[@andrewrobertson1104]

I would to say you forgot the Lightning/Maple Leafs Rivalry. Those fans hate each other

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Yeah that has really picked up over the past couple of years!

[@Migmaw]

As a wings fan i think its important to point out how and why the Avs Wings rivalry took off as quickly as it did and for those who do not know it goes back to Patrick Roy's last game as a Canadian when Detroit and the Russian 5 lit him up 😂 he was traded to Colorado Avs which just prior were the Quebec Nordiques Montreals main rival in Hockey at the time because they fought for fans dollars and their games were always rough and fun to watch. Patrick Roys last play off game against the wings he got lit up 7 nothing in game 7 and that was the end of that rivalry 😂 Patrick Roy was an elite goalie but every player or team has that one team they excel against or fail against. For example Stevie Y scored more goals against the leafs than any other team yet the leafs always broke the wings hearts when they met in the playoffs in the 90s

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

I'm glad you brought this up! I really enjoyed the director's cut of the ESPN documentary, Unrivaled. Totally worth a watch if you have the chance.

[@SportsFan838]

I would say the Canes and Islanders have a bit of bad blood too. Even though the playoff series between those two are one sided. Islanders have a couple of rivalries you haven't mentioned😊.

[@chiefrief221]

I’m a Lightning diehard, black & blue til I die! But I’ll cheer for the Panthers against anyone else. They’re little brother. Sweeping them in 2022 was almost as good as winning another Cup.

[@patrickbanks9183]

This makes me sad as a wings fan I miss those old rivalries oh well nothing I can do about it

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

New rivalries will forge as the Red Wings ascend to relevance once again!

[@douglasschultz9808]

Giroux putting Crosby in the boards in the 2012 series

[@N0RD23]

Kadri was pushed into Binnington lmfao

[@JULIEFRENCH0906]

You have the perfect broadcaster voice. Are you in the industry ?

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Thanks Julie! I've never worked in broadcasting, but I have worked with some voice actors before (and have recorded a few voiceovers of my own).

[@GarretMartinn]

The Columbus Detroit playoff series was 2009 not 2008. 2008 was predators, avalanche, stars, penguins.

[@Teflon247]

Stevie Y 2OT gem

[@markfitzurka9995]

I am with you and Big Joe with the sharks

[@JYD2020]

The famous Bruins comeback on the Leafs in round 1 of the playoffs

[@m8tinajero]

I’m from Vegas and though I like a good Sharks game I absolutely hate LA. Seeing them lose gives me much more joy than any other team rivalry 😂

[@ktimmons8803]

I'm surprised Detroit vs Nashville didn't make honorable mention

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

21:36! 😎

[@trevortaylor9536]

Bro avs are apparently rivals with half the league

[@colonelquack]

Henrique, it's over.

[@aaronhuss3592]

Hey Nick, nice video! I tried joining Discord but the link is expired. I do quite a bit on there so I'd love to help out and be part of the community. Cheers!

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

Try this Aaron! discord.gg/ZF2QKpE3Un

[@ricecrispy7951]

Obviously Kuzy scoring on the Pens!

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

The demons have been exorcized!

[@jordanartinial4593]

Seemed like they werent geling imo

[@davehardesty3649]

Canucks fan here, screw the rangers!

[@burnz0021]

Habs Bruins #1 no question.

[@Chafe3]

As someone who actually likes the lightning a lot, GOOD LORD their radio announcer is god awful. Sounds like he’s swallowing the mic every time they score

[@djbalerio1260]

Yeah nice try the Oilers and Stars aren't a rival neither are the Preds and Stars but Vegas recently is giving the stars fits especially in the playoffs so I'd say Vegas is a Stars rivalry

[@andrewklaver2070]

Oilers vs Stars isn't a rivalry anymore but in the late 90's/early 00's they met in the playoffs FIVE years in a row ('97, '98, '99, '00, '01) with Dallas taking the win every single god damned time as the higher seed with all but one year being first round meetings (98, Edmonton wins against Colorado in the first round but loses to Dallas in the second)... I was five years old by '97, born and raised in Edmonton with a father fanatical about the Oilers since witnessing Gretzky's dynasty in the 80's. So from the moment I acquired consciousness to even understand hockey, the Stars were the boogie man xD

[@zrexity.x200]

Toronto and Tampa are rivals hello? These 2 teams literally hate each other like?????

[@GarretMartinn]

St. Louis beat Detroit in 1991.

[@lordofpornmetal]

you snubbed Montreal Quebec

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

I know my response is late, but in case you didn't see it, I have a separate video all about that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoLGZqKPrpuja68 I was only focusing on rivalries between teams in their current cities/area for this video, so that's why I left it out.

[@DjCadot]

Where is Montréal vs Nordiques ?

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

I was only focusing on the rivalries between current NHL teams, but I know MTL-QBC was one of the nastiest in its day...I'd consider producing a separate feature on that.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

And just for the sake of being thorough, it's right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoLGZqKPrpuja68

[@MJM1309]

You mean Stevens cheap shot

[@AuroraZD]

What I've learned from this video: Every team hates Boston

[@beavedelly9063]

Ottawa toronto

[@humankirk9196]

Any video that does not list Nordiques Habs as a top 3 is automatically wrong. To not even mention it is downright bad. There literally has not been a more bitter, violent and visceral rivalry in hockey.

[@TwistedWristerHockey]

I was only focusing on teams located in their current city/area. You can actually watch a full feature on the rivalry here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoLGZqKPrpuja68

[@sigma00113]

is it just me or are the rangers everyone rivals?

[@N0RD23]

Kadri was pushed into Binnington, cry Blues fans

[@TeamOT]

Anyone remember Alex Kovalev shoving his fists straight into Darcy Tucker's face? The rivalry with Bruins is more intense though; cf., PK Subban running over brat Marchant.

[@darrencole97]

Bruins Habs biggest ever

[@darrencole97]

Agreed

[@GoggyL29]

Battle of Alberta all the way!!!

[@joughnut496]

To summarize this video: nobody likes the rangers, the bruins, or the blackhawks

[@mollyshofkom7830]

I feel like a Panthers/Leafs rivalry is in the works. WE WANT FLORIDA! lol

[@markpiekaczpiekacz912]

Detroit/Chicago/maple 🍁 the first 6 but Detroit/Colorado is was the best.

[@joshkenobiwan]

As a Stars fan I will say I dislike the Avs, Blues, and Blackhawks more than I dislike the Preds