Crosby vs. Ovechkin: The Best Individual Rivalry In Sports?

After this past week's Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin showdown, it got me thinking...what's the best current individual rivalry in sports? 

We know the team rivalries: Army-Navy, Duke-North Caroline, Cal-Stanford, Yankees-Red Sox, Lakers-Celtics. When the word "rivalry" is tossed around in sports, this is the type of match-up that comes to mind. Two teams with long histories, who have had with countless battles on the biggest of stages. The rivalries that go under-the-radar are the ones that happen among individual players.

So what makes a rivalry amongst athletes? My criteria consists of a few things. 

First, the players must play each other somewhat frequently. A few times during the regular season, and sometimes in the playoffs at least.

Second, they have to consistently matchup on the grandest stages, and perform accordingly.

Thirdly, they must be at the top of their respective sports.

Lastly, and most importantly, they have to bring out the absolute best in each other.

If you asked me last year what the best rivalry amongst two players is, my answer would have been without hesitation: Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal. They played three epic Grand Slam finals within the span of 18 months. A wonderful five-set win for Roger at Wimbledon in 2007, the greatest match of all-time the next year at Wimbledon in which Rafa got his revenge, and then a thrilling five-set Rafa win at the Australian, when it looked as though Federer was done. They consistently played on the biggest stages, and brought out the best in each other every time. This particular rivalry also was more interesting because it consisted of Rafa dethroning Fed as the #1 player in the world after five years. There was redemption involved, and Roger was even able to reclaim the #1 months later.

Unfortunately, with Nadal's injuries and Roger's dominance again, this rivalry has been put on hold since last year's Aussie Open, and we'll have to wait and see what it has to offer for the future.

Another rivalry that would come to most people's minds would be LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant. This is completely blown out of proportion. The NBA and the media over-hype these games, and with reason. But how can this be considered a great rivalry? Over the last two years (since LeBron entered the discussion for top player in the NBA) they've played only four times. None of the games have been memorable. Last season, the Lakers wildly outplayed the Cavs twice, this year was vice versa. In none of these games have both players had great performances. The best performance by one of the players in any of the four meetings was LeBron on Christmas Day 2009, which was a Cavs blowout. If both teams reach the Finals, it goes six or seven, and both players go off, then this "rivalry" can enter the discussion. The bottom line is, this is no Bird-Magic or Russell-Chamberlain.

So that leaves only one legitimate answer to this question: Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin. These two players, like LeBron and Kobe, are unarguably the two best players in their profession, and it's hotly debated which one is better. The difference here is both players are in the Eastern Conference, so they play four times a year in the regular season. They also had an epic playoff battle last year, in which they both played fantastic. It's the only rivalry in sports that meets my criteria. Their meeting last week was a perfect example. Crosby scores two goals to put the Pens up, and Ovechkin storms back with a hat trick to give the Caps a thrilling win.

It doesn't get much better than that.