NHL's 10 Best Rivalries to Watch This Season

Rivalries in hockey are arguably the most intense when compared to any other sport because of how untamed the sport is.

In a way, many hockey rivalries are almost animalistic because of how passionate and tough the players are about their team and the game.

Fighting and brawling in hockey games will often boil over to the point where the actual game of hockey can seem secondary, but in reality, winning the points is always primary to the players, and that's what makes the different layers of this sport so special.

I've been thinking to myself lately—what rivalries in the NHL am I most looking forward to this season? There are many classics to choose from, as well as some rivalries that should be rekindled this season.

I decided to filter out my 10 most anticipated, or ones to at least look out for. So here they are, enjoy.

10. Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks

The local L.A. area rivalry between the Kings and Ducks has always been on the radar of fans and players of these teams, but not so much anyone on the outside. That is because the Ducks have been so dominant over the years, while the Kings have been the doormat of the league for the better part of half a decade now.

That is all about to change, because the youth movement within the L.A. Kings is finally coming through and allowing them to be contenders again, all while the Ducks are still a very good team.

These matchups have all the ingredients to be intense and filled with fisticuffs, especially if both teams will be fighting for a playoff spot, or better yet, contending for the division title.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Both teams are big in size. This should lead to some very physical games.

Which team has the advantage: Ducks
Rivalry grade right now: C
Potential grade: B+
Next game: 12/1/09 Ducks @ Kings

9. Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

A rivalry that dates back as far as the early 1980s, the Flames and Canucks have been in some heated battles over the years, and it's looking like no love will be lost between the two teams that are projected to be the cream-of-the-crop in the Northwest division once again.

Whichever team finds the most consistency through the regular season should be the deciding factor on who comes out on top. Both teams are not known for consistency, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? The difference between winning the Northwest division title and being runner-up could be the difference between a top-three finish (and home ice) or an eighth-seed finish in the Western Conference because of how competitive the division is. These two teams will fight to the death to win the division.

Which team has the advantage: Flames
Rivalry grade right now: B
Potential grade: A
Next game: 10/16/09 Canucks @ Flames

8. Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks

By far the best rivalry in California over the last few seasons has been between the two most competitive teams, which are the Sharks and the Ducks. Both teams year in and year out have battled for supremacy in the Pacific Division. Contests between these two teams are highly physical, which often leads to many fights and on-ice brawls.

Over the years, the Sharks have been underachievers, while the Ducks have been known more as a team capable of challenging for the Stanley Cup, and even winning it once.

Now with intimidating defenseman Chris Pronger out of Anaheim and potential 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley skating alongside Joe Thornton in San Jose, look for the tables to turn in San Jose's favor.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Last season, the eighth-seeded Anaheim Ducks knocked off the top-seeded Sharks in round one of the playoffs. Look for the Sharks to try and prove something to the Ducks this season.

Which team has the advantage: Ducks
Rivalry grade right now: B
Potential grade: B+
Next game: 11/21/09 Sharks @ Ducks

7. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

In the 2008 playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers shockingly beat the Washington Capitals in Game Seven in their own building. Since then, an old-time rivalry has been rekindled between these two out-of-division foes.

This rivalry is what I like to call the third-wheel rivalry. The Flyers are the third-wheel to the Capitals-Penguins rivalry, and the Capitals are the third-wheel to the Flyers-Penguins rivalry. Bottom line is, both of these are among the elite in the conference, and both teams are chasing the Penguins. The rivalry was bound to spark back up.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Flyers captain Mike Richards and Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals do not like one another. They both raise their games to a new height when they meet up, which usually dictates the outcome of the game, making for some tremendous hockey.

Which team has the advantage: Flyers
Rivalry grade right now: B
Potential grade: A
Next game: 10/27/09 Flyers @ Capitals

6. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings

The 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, contested between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, was the official coming-out party to let everyone know one of the best Original Six rivalries is alive and well again.

Detroit has always been the bigger brother to Chicago as far hockey goes, especially over the last 20 years. The Wings destroyed the 'Hawks in the 2009 January Classic, and then had a chance to spank them in five games in the Western Conference Finals in the spring.

Coming into this season, the Blackhawks were considered to be the favorite to take down the Wings and win the Central Division. This is the first time the Wings have not been favorites to win their division in over 10 years, let alone it being against their division rivals.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Star player Marian Hossa (a former Red Wing) is now signed with Chicago for the next 12 seasons. Can he do in Chicago what he couldn't do in Detroit?

Which team has the edge: Blackhawks
Rivalry grade right now: B
Potential grade: A+

5. Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers

The Battle of Alberta between the Flames and Oilers is only separated by about 200 miles in Western Canada, but over the last few seasons, it has seemed more like 2,000 because of which direction the teams were heading in.

The Oilers have been playoff-less since their Stanley Cup run in 2006, and the Flames have been looked at as Cup contenders every year since then, but have failed to advance past the first round in the playoffs.

Two weeks into this new season, the Flames and Oilers have already played two highly competitive, controversial games. Both contests were heart-stoppers which saw the Flames win on some lucky bounces towards the end.

Now with head coach Pat Quinn guiding the ship in Edmonton, I think it's safe to say the Oilers will be a competitive team again, which will add more fuel to one of the best NHL rivalries.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Oilers head coach Pat Quinn recently accused Flames captain Jarome Iginla of tripping Oilers top defenseman Sheldon Souray on purpose, which lead to an injury. Look for payback in their next tilt.

Which team has the advantage: Flames
Rivalry grade right now: B+
Potential grade: A+
Next game: 10/2/09 Oilers @ Flames

4. Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

You're probably thinking, how can one of the most historical and heated NHL rivalries not crack the top three at least? The answer is, it's a very lop-sided rivalry right now as far as the on-ice results of the game goes.

The Boston Bruins, although off to a slow start, should still be head and shoulders above the Montreal Canadiens when it's all said and done.

This doesn't mean the games will be meaningless, because Montreal should still be a team in playoff contention, but it dampens the rivalry knowing one team is far superior to the other. It's still an all-around excellent rivalry, and one of the best in the NHL.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Milan Lucic vs. Georges Laraque. The fight that may never be because so-called tough guy Milan Lucic refuses to drop the gloves with Georges, but continues to trash talk with him.

Which team has the advantage: Bruins
Rivalry grade right now: B+
Potential grade: A+
Next game: 11/5/09 Canadiens @ Bruins

3. New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers

The cross-river rivalry contested between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils has gained a lot of steam over the last few seasons after it had died down in the early 2000s. The two teams have met each other twice in the playoffs since 2006, each team winning one series.

Both teams are expected to be in playoff contention again, and only time will tell if the two will meet up for a third time in the playoffs. For now, enjoy the regular season games that could be just as intense as their playoff match-ups.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Sean Avery of the New York Rangers and Devils netminder Martin Brodeur hate each other so much that they refused to shake each others' hand at the end of their playoff series two years ago. Now with Avery back on Broadway, it adds much more spice to an already great rivalry.
Which team has the advantage: Rangers
Rivalry grade right now: A
Potential grade: A+

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

The Pens vs. Caps rivalry is the most entertaining matchup in the NHL today, in my opinion. Both teams feature three of the best players in the world, and two of them hate each other (Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby). Both teams are among the elite in the Eastern Conference, and faces of the NHL right now.

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have said it's a "healthy rivalry," but we all know it's a little deeper than that, especially when Alex Semin (Ovechkin's friend/teammate) goes on a rant in the papers about how Sidney Crosby is nothing special.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? The lay-over effect and impact it will have towards the Caps after the Pens beat them in their building in Game Seven last season.

Which team has the advantage: Penguins
Rivalry grade right now: A+
Next game: 1/21/10 Capitals @ Penguins

1. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The all Pennsylvanian rivalry between the Flyers and Penguins is the most drama-filled, and most intense rivalry in the NHL today, in my opinion. When these two teams meet up, you are almost guaranteed an entertaining brand of hockey with some twists and turns to it.

Over the last few seasons, the Penguins have gotten the better of the Flyers. More-so in the playoffs, where the Penguins have knocked the Flyers out the last two seasons in a row.

Just a few days ago, these two powerhouses met up for the first time this season. The Penguins won a 5-4 thriller, but it was the Flyers who got the last laugh at the end of the game, when a semi-brawl broke out.

Flyers winger Scott Hartnell allegedly bit the finger of Penguins defenseman Kris Letang while in a fight with him, causing more drama for their much-anticipated next matchup.

What makes this rivalry extra interesting? Watch the next game to find out.

Which team has the edge: Penguins
Rivalry grade right now: A+
Next game: 12/15/09 Flyers @ Penguins