Greatest NHL Rivalries of All Time

Ice, Punches, and Long-Time Rivalries: The NHL Always Amazes Its Loyal Fans.

Bad Blood

There’s nothing quite as intense as the National Hockey League (NHL), especially when it comes to NHL rivalries. In the 32-team league, there isn’t a game day that goes by without at least one pairing of “mortal enemies.” Though the names on the back of the sweaters change with regularity, the hatred persists.

Start with Original Six rivals such as the Montreal Canadiens versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins against the New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. Remember that in a pre-1967 six-team league, teams opposed one another frequently, and familiarity bred contempt quite often.

As the league has grown, new animus has grown between Alberta provincial “pals” the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, those aforementioned New York Rangers against metropolitan- area foes the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils, Sunshine State rivals the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning as well as Pennsylvania “pals” the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

This doesn’t mean that the greatest NHL rivalries of all time are territorial, as not just geography goes into hating the other guy.

This bad blood only gets “badder” should teams of disdain renew acquaintances in the playoffs.

H3: Has Any NHL Team Ever Been to the Stanley Cup?

NHL news also seems to revolve around the championship, as each of the 32 teams is out to win the Stanley Cup.

However, before a team can hoist the hardware, it has to qualify to make the Final. Entering the 2024-25 season, the only teams who’ve never made it are the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, this version of the Ottawa Senators (though the “old” Ottawa Senators were Cup champions), Utah Hockey Club (formerly Arizona Coyotes), San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken and Winnipeg Jets (ex-Atlanta Thrashers).

NHL rivalries only intensify during the heated playoffs.  

H3: Which Is the Greatest Rivalry in the NHL?

NHL games offer any number of terrific rivalry affairs, starting with the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. As was previously mentioned, these two teams were included in the Original Six, the only north-of-the-border teams included. Add in the fact the Habs (24 titles) and Leafs (13) rank first and second, respectively, as far as winning the Cup.

The drought between the teams is a frustrating factor, Montreal last won in 1993 while Toronto’s latest title came back in 1967.   

It’s been since that Canadiens’ title in ‘93 that Canada has had a Stanley Cup winner.

Does BetUS Have Constant Updates on Stanley Cup Winners’ Odds? 

NHL picks and predictions include a variety of options, especially when it comes to the biggest prize out there. As of this writing, just after the 4 Nations Face-Off and Canada’s thrilling overtime win over the United States, four teams have the bulk of the support.

It’s the Edmonton Oilers favored at 13-2 (+650), the Carolina Hurricanes at 15-2 (+750), the defending- champion Florida Panthers at 8-1 (+800), and the Dallas Stars at 9-1 (+900). Every other team is at least in double figures on the board.

Note the betting odds to win the Cup are fluid, so don’t forget to look at NHL scores and check BetUS constantly to see how your team’s price has been affected.   

Any Final Thoughts?

There’s never really a downtime when it comes to NHL rumors, especially when it comes to the postseason. There are 16 teams (eight in each conference) who earn berths in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Fans sit back and take all of it in, awaiting the next chapter of the best NHL playoffs.