No Toe Picks! Top Ten NHL Rivalries

Ron Johnson by Senior Writer Written on May 02, 2008
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I may not know much about hockey, but I know a good rivalry when I see it. Whether it's a team or a pair of individuals, the NHL has brought us more excitement than a bull getting the matador by the cajones. With that said, let's hit the ice, knuckleheads!

#10) St. Louis Blues-Columbus Blue Jackets

#9) New York Rangers-New York Islanders (Liberty Slugfest)

#8) Minnesota Wild-Colorado Avalanche

#7) Detroit Red Wings-Toronto Maple Leafs

#6) Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers

#5) New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils

Everyone gets whacked during this rivalry. The Rangers and Devils are either battling for playoff spots, wins, or the bridge that separates the Sopranos from Seinfeld. Either way, fans on the east coast love when these teams battle.

The only thing that can be said about this battle is that the Rangers and Devils have all the tools to leave us begging for a fourth period. As long as these two are still in the NHL, they will still find ways to drop the sticks and gloves. The names have changed, but the battles are still fierce.

To this point, the Rangers hold the cards, advancing to the conference semifinals by dismantling the almighty Martin Brodeur and the Devils.

#4 Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins

The Garden (also known as the Bruin Shrine) has played host to the intensity that is the Canadiens and the Bruins. The Habs have had some crazy things happen since their last Stanley Cup run, but in the long run, it all comes back to the these two teams.

During the season, the Canadiens straight up owned the Bruins, winning all their meetings, and leaving us breathless during their playoff series. Through seven games, the Bruins and Habs kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

Though there isn't many fights between the two, the rivalry is still as intense thanks to the die hard hockey fans who seem to have an orgasm during every game.

#3 Alexander Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby

This season was filled with individual efforts. But there were two men who had every hockey fan talking smack at the water cooler. So why the hype between these two?

Washington's Alex Ovechkin snagged 112 points through 82 games and led the team to the postseason. During the season, though, he had an enemy. But before all the anarchy that came with being a phenom in the NHL, Ovechkin started his career with Dynamo Moscow back in 2001. After several seasons with Dynamo, Ovechkin came to Washington stacked, jacked, and packed with unbelievable talent.

Ovechkin's adversary during the season was already being called a phenom. Sidney Crosby was already being called "the next Mario Lemieux." Crosby didn't take long to make an impact with the team as even the legend himself was impressed with his top pick from the 2005 Draft. During the season, he got 72 points through 53 games.

Despite all that, and even though one team is still playing while the other is watching TIVO, these two have started something big on the ice. And it will only continue throughout next season.

#2 Detroit Red Wings-Colorado Avalanche

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written on May 02, 2008 Rankings/List

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