Hockey is a sport built on speed, skill, and toughness – and nowhere is that toughness more evident than in its historic rivalries. These long-running feuds between teams ignite passions on the ice and in the stands, creating iconic moments that transcend sport itself.
Whether it’s a playoff war or a decades-long grudge, these rivalries have shaped the National Hockey League and made it what it is today.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins
If you want the gold standard of NHL rivalries, look no further than the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins.
Dating back to the NHL’s Original Six era, this matchup is defined by its ferocity. The Canadiens and Bruins have met in the postseason more times than any other two teams, delivering thrilling, heartbreaking, and sometimes violent games.
From Maurice “Rocket” Richard trading fists with Bruins defensemen to Cam Neely and Ray Bourque clashing with Montreal’s Patrick Roy and Guy Carbonneau in the 1980s and 90s, this rivalry has never lost its intensity. Even when these teams aren’t at the top of the standings, the hatred remains – proving that history, pride, and passion make a rivalry truly timeless.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
This is the oldest rivalry in the NHL, and one that began when the league was founded in 1917.
Two of hockey’s most storied franchises have met more than 800 times, often battling for supremacy in the Original Six days. The rivalry is deeply ingrained in Canadian culture: English-speaking Toronto versus French-speaking Montreal.
Although the teams rarely face each other in the postseason nowadays, whenever they do – like their seven-game first-round classic in 2021 – all of Canada pays attention. It’s a rivalry that celebrates hockey’s roots and the fierce regional pride that comes with it.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings
Few rivalries are as long-running or as nasty as the one between Chicago and Detroit.
Both part of the Original Six, too, they first met in 1926 and have come head-to-head more than 700 times. The hatred between these two teams fueled countless brawls, especially during the 1980s and 90s, when players like Bob Probert, Darren McCarty, and Chris Chelios dropped the gloves regularly.
Though they now play in different divisions, games between Chicago and Detroit still have a throwback intensity. Even as rosters and styles have changed, the rivalry remains a cornerstone of Midwestern hockey tradition.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
The Battle of Alberta might be the most emotional and heated rivalry in hockey history.
Emerging in the 1980s as both teams became Stanley Cup contenders, Edmonton and Calgary spent that decade trading playoff victories and delivering some of the most physical series in NHL history.
Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier squared off against Lanny McDonald and Al MacInnis as each club had its share of Hall of Famers. The rivalry was so irate that even regular-season games felt like playoff eliminators.
That intensity hasn’t faded. Recent years have seen both teams rise back to relevance, and with star players like Connor McDavid on one side and Matthew Tkachuk (now in Florida, but who stoked this rivalry for years) on the other, “the Battle” is alive and well.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders
Cross-town rivalries always come with a different edge – one built on proximity and pride.
When the Islanders joined the NHL in 1972, they quickly became a powerhouse, winning four straight Cups in the early 1980s. That left Rangers fans envious and fueled a deep-seated rivalry that burns to this day.
Every game between these teams is loud, passionate, and often chippy. Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum (and now UBS Arena) have hosted some of the most raucous crowds in the league. Even though both clubs have had lean years, this matchup always feels like the most important game of the season for players and fans alike.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Flyers and Penguins hate each other – plain and simple.
Pennsylvania’s two NHL teams have been clashing for more than 50 years, with the rivalry reaching a fever pitch in the 2000s and 2010s as superstars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, and Scott Hartnell faced off repeatedly in the postseason.
Playoff matchups between the Flyers and Penguins often devolve into high-scoring, high-penalty affairs – perfect for fans who like their hockey with extra grit. Moments like the 2012 playoff series, where the two teams combined for nearly 100 goals in six games, show just how wild this rivalry can get.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
The 1990s produced one of the most brutal rivalries hockey has ever seen.
When Colorado moved from Quebec to Denver in 1995 and immediately became a Cup contender, they ran into Detroit in the playoffs year after year. 
The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings on their way to the 1996 Stanley Cup, and that postseason ended with Claude Lemieux’s infamous hit on Kris Draper. From there, the rivalry exploded – leading to countless brawls, goalie fights, and seven-game playoff thrillers.
That hatred carried into the early 2000s and still lives on in the memories of hockey fans who witnessed one of the most intense on-ice feuds the sport has ever seen.
Why Rivalries Endure
Every sport thrives on rivalries, but hockey’s rivalries have an extra edge. It’s the speed, the skill, the contact – and an overriding desire to win not just for yourself, but to beat the team that you truly cannot stand.
They shape legacies, provoke passionate debates, and often inspire entire generations of players and fans. That’s why, when the puck drops between these legendary foes, the sport feels a little faster, a little tougher, and a lot more personal.
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