- Thread starter
- #61
DoobeeDoobeeDoo
The Doobster
- 65,871
- 40,272
- 1,033
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2013
- Hoopla Cash
- $ 200.00
- Fav. Team #1
- Fav. Team #2
- Fav. Team #3
I don't know - we've met a lot in the playoffs (especially in recent years) and that has intensified the tension in recent years, but I don't really think of the Rangers as a rival.
I think if you asked Caps' fans it would be Pens #1, Flyers #2, Rags a distant #3, and then all others that don't matter much. Because those are the teams that are close by and that invaded the old Capital Centre year after year. I doubt there is any team in the NHL that has endured the number of fans constantly in it's arena like the Capitals do b/c DC is such a transient city and it's so close to several major cities - Isles, Rags, Devils, Flyers, and Pens all 2-5 hours away by car/bus.
The Pens are at the top b/c of years of playoff disappointments and 3-1 leads blown. The Flyers because their fans are often so detestable. This is also because a true Washingtonian looks down a little bit on Philly and Pittsburgh. There just isn't the same vitriol for New York by and large and we are sister cities in a way - one the center of business, another the center of power.
In sum...
I will also add the Caps probably don't have real depth of rivals because we've been largely unsuccessful as a franchise. Never have won anything of consequence, still hold the record for worst NHL season, and have choked off big leads more than any team in NHL history. It's hard to find a way to hate on a team without success. It's like trying to play fetch with a dog that just lays there.
I agree, if I had to pick our top rivals within the division as of now,
1. Flyers
2. Capitals
3. Islanders
I could see the Pens & Blue Jackets becoming our next big rival as well, but games against the Flyers, Capitals, & Islanders hurt a little more when we lose & feel a little better when we win. To me, that's the true essence of a hockey rivalry. Regardless the records, Pens vs Flyers, Pens vs Capitals, & Pens vs Islanders tend to be close & competitive.
Was really impressed by the Caps last season. Oates did a great job in his 1st season, Ovechkin grew leaps & bounds as a true leader, lots of youn guys contributing to the blue line, & Holtby continues to impress. Sucks they lost Ribeiro, but Grabovski sort of cancels that out. As of now, I consider the Caps to be the biggest threat to the Pens within the Metro.
I don't think we will run away with the division like we did last season. Capitals, Rangers, Flyers, Islanders, & Blue Jackets all look pretty good to me. Even the Devils look pretty deep in spite of losing Kovalchuk. I'm 50/50 on the Hurricanes, they could be good if Cam Ward is healthy, but their defense has a lot to prove. Should be an interesting season for the Metro Div. Can't wait till the season starts.
