6 Games We Would Love to See on NHL Rivalry Wednesday

"Rivalry Wednesday" is the marketing concept the NBC Sports Network is using to promote the NHL for its Wednesday broadcasts.

Actually, the network is broadcasting games on three and four days per week, but the Rivalry Wednesday concept is a way to distinguish one of those broadcasts per week and get it more attention from mainstream and social media.

The network has upcoming games between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings.

Here's a look at some games we wish were available and promoted on Rivalry Wednesday.

In keeping with the scheduling parameters of this season's truncated schedule, we will keep it to intraconference matchups.

Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks

Even if you don't like the Vancouver Canucks, you must admit that they tend to bring out the best in their opponents.

Three recent playoff series between the Blackhawks and the Canucks—two of which were won by Chicago—assures that every meeting between the two teams is must-see television.

When the game is in Chicago, fans love to give Roberto Luongo a special welcome, but Vancouver fans are just as warm to the Hawks.

Still, when the game is in Vancouver, Chicago seems to step up and get a great effort from Jonathan Toews. Fans are treated to stellar hockey and sensational drama when the two teams meet on Canada's Pacific Coast.

It would be a sensational late-night rivalry matchup for the NBC Sports Network.

New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers

The Rangers-Flyers rivalry hit its stride in 1974, when the two teams met in the semifinal round of the playoffs.

No expansion team had ever beaten an Original Six team in a playoff series, but that changed when the Broad Street Bullies and Bobby Clarke whipped the Rangers and Eddie Giacomin in seven games.

Hatred has been the rule ever since.

The Rangers have had a huge advantage in recent years, and their head coach John Tortorella seems to have an edge on Peter Laviolette of the Flyers. There is plenty of angst demonstrated by each coach.

Any game between these two teams promises plenty of hard hitting and nastiness. The Rangers like their chances in any game when goalie Henrik Lundqvist lines up opposite Ilya Bryzgalov.

Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings

This is one of the more underrated rivalries.

East Coast hockey fans rarely give these teams any thought, but the Kings are the defending champions and appear to be a sensational hockey team once again.

The Ducks might be the story of the year, if the Blackhawks hadn't gotten off to their record-breaking start.

They have a slew of stars in Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, as well as the presence of golden veterans Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, all of whom make this team a must-watch squad.

There is a real dislike between both teams that makes this series worth watching on an every-game basis.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens

This traditional matchup between Canada's two oldest teams has lost some of its luster, since neither team has been at its best in many years.

However, there is something special about watching both of these teams get together, especially when they meet in La Belle Province.

The great ghosts of this franchise show up any time they play their traditional rivals. Both teams have been resurgent this year—although the Leafs are starting to show some signs of falling back—and that gives the games special meaning.

If you want to feel tension, just watch a Leafs-Canadiens game from start to finish.

No matter which side you support, you have to love the uniforms in this series.

Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks

This is another Original Six matchup that has both historical and current meaning.

The Red Wings have been the dominant team in the Western Conference for 20 years, but their hold is slipping this year following the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings are certainly not an easy out, but it takes their best effort to win.

The Red Wings had a chance to end the Blackhawks' record points streak on March 3, but a late goal by Patrick Kane allowed the Blackhawks to tie the game and send it to overtime. They eventually won the game in a shootout.

That may have been the NHL's most well-played game of the year.

The Blackhawks' success this season is just fuel for the Red Wings' fire. They would like nothing better than to punish them in front of their home fans.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins

There is every reason to believe that this duel in black and gold will end up deciding who wins the Eastern Conference this season.

The Penguins are probably the best offensive team in the league, while the Bruins are the best defensive team.

In their first meeting of the season, the visiting Bruins went into Pittsburgh on March 12 and built a quick 2-0 first-period lead that they tried to sit on for the rest of the game.

While Bruins head coach Claude Julien had to feel good when the Bruins maintained that lead after killing a 5-on-3 shorthanded situation in the third, the non-stop Pittsburgh pressure finally paid off with three goals in the final 6:18.

That game sets the stage for drama the rest of the season when these two teams meet.

They should be featured on Rivalry Wednesday by the NBC Sports Network.