A bigger Ranger Rival: The Islanders or the Devils

Simple question for all you Rangers fans. At this moment, who do you consider a bigger rival to the Rangers -- The Devils or the Islanders?

Could non-Rangers fans refrain from voting? Thanks guys.

It's the Islanders, It's been the Islanders for long. Devils won't ever be our biggest rival, unless something drastic happens, and one of their players pull a Potvin or something.

By far the Islanders. It's not even close. As much as Devils fans like to think they are our biggest rival, they pale in comparison to the Islanders in that regard.

ICE-LANDERS ICE-LANDERS ICE-LANDERS ICE-LANDERS ICE-LANDERS ICE-LANDERS
:rangers VS :isles

This is a no brainer.

Islanders, without a doubt.

This is a no brainer.

Could non-ranger fans please refrain from voting? Thanks. Interesting replies thus far.

Could non-ranger fans please refrain from voting? Thanks. Interesting replies thus far.

Why not?

Why not?

... because I'm asking which team RANGER fans consider a bigger rival ...

I just think that the actual fanbase has the most authority on the matter. You know, hence the post on the Rangers forum.

... because I'm asking which team RANGER fans consider a bigger rival ...

I just think they probably have the most authority on the matter. You know, hence the post on the Rangers forum.

Wow, i didn't know polls weren't public. Anyway, i think we all know the answer. Have a good night. Your team is playing so maybe you should be watching that.

its not even a question.

its not even a question.

Dude, what the **** is wrong with you? Don't you know you weren't allowed to vote in this poll? :sarcasm:

There is no doubt among the older generation of Ranger fans it's the Islanders, after that I dunno.

Dude, what the **** is wrong with you? Don't you know you weren't allowed to vote in this poll? :sarcasm:

You shouldn't even be reading this thread. Go back to New York, Islander fan.

Dude, what the **** is wrong with you? Don't you know you weren't allowed to vote in this poll? :sarcasm:

I dont see whats so hard to understand here; I am asking Ranger fans who they consider to be a bigger rival. Islander and Devil fans have nothing to do with the answer ... you can vote if you wish but it only clouds the results (which dont look like they need much padding). That is all.

You shouldn't even be reading this thread. Go back to New York, Islander fan.

Coming from a fan of the Avs who play in COLORADO! :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh: BTW, I hope you forgot your sarcasm emoticon.

You shouldn't even be reading this thread. Go back to New York, Islander fan.

Was this a joke?

I dont see whats so hard to understand here; I am asking Ranger fans who they consider to be a bigger rival. Islander and Devil fans have nothing to do with the answer ... you can vote if you wish but it only clouds the results (which dont look like they need much padding). That is all.

Right, which I said you should have made clear. Had i known that, I would not have voted. Just take my vote away, that's all. Oh and King Isles' vote too. :)

Dude, what the **** is wrong with you? Don't you know you weren't allowed to vote in this poll? :sarcasm:

o **** i forgot, eventhough a devils fan voted in the poll. i cant believe that. did he not read the law given devildan, "no islander or devils fans shall vote in the public poll"?? :sarcasm:

It's equal to me. I know the Islanders are the traditional rivals, but since I became a fan in 1993 they've been far less relevant than the Devils. So I guess they balance each other out.

Now are the pointless and *****y sarcasm posts out of your systems?

Having been to both games at the Debbies and Icelanders stadiums against the Rangers, by far most arrogant, trashy fans belong to the Icelanders. No offense to the Icelander fans, as I do realize there are some good people who like the Icelanders.

He wasn't being rude when he asked for it to only pertain to Ranger fans, why are you being so defensive :shakehead


I'm 22, been following the Rangers since 92', and for me its the Devils.

Probably because I live in western NJ, and most people that I grew up with were Devils fans.

I think that location has a larger part to do with percieved rivalries

o **** i forgot, eventhough a devils fan voted in the poll. i cant believe that. did he not read the law given devildan, "no islander or devils fans shall vote in the public poll"?? :sarcasm:

I asked for ALL non-Rangers fans to not vote, silly.

Having been to both games at the Debbies and Icelanders stadiums against the Rangers, by far most arrogant, trashy fans belong to the Icelanders. No offense to the Icelander fans, as I do realize there are some good people who like the Icelanders.

No offense taken. I think most NYI fans would same the same in reverse about the teams' fanbases.

Actually, our biggest rivals are the Flyers.

For younger lads like myself it might be New Jersey because of their success in the late 90's - I for one hate the Devils more than the Islanders.

Actually, our biggest rivals are the Flyers.

Do you guys chant Rangers Suck! or Flyers Suck! at all your home games?

Dude, what the **** is wrong with you? Don't you know you weren't allowed to vote in this poll? :sarcasm:

:D

On a scale of 1 to 10 I hate the Devils at level 10.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I hate the Islanders at about a 12.

Do you guys chant Rangers Suck! or Flyers Suck! at all your home games?

Well for 10 years, the Flyers and Devils would go back and forth for Division titles. Both the Rangers and Islanders were competing for draft choices.


Flyers fans hate us more than any other team. More fights in the stands for Flyers vs. Devils than Devils vs. Rangers.

I'd say it's pretty close to even. As a previous poster said, the Isles haven't been a legit contendor in my lifetime, but there is more history against the Isles so I'd say it evens out. And I know more people who claim to be Devils fans than Isles fans.

I have to say, the Flyers are a close third. I really can't stand their fans.

I'd say it's pretty close to even. As a previous poster said, the Isles haven't been a legit contendor in my lifetime, but there is more history against the Isles so I'd say it evens out. And I know more people who claim to be Devils fans than Isles fans.

I have to say, the Flyers are a close third. I really can't stand their fans.

Don't take this the wrong way guys, but some are saying the NYI-NYR rivalry is not their favorite, which is their opinion, but the reasoning doesn't make sense to me. Some are saying the NYI have not been legit contenders of late, which is definitely the truth, but the Rangers and Islanders were both bad for a while with both teams missing the playoffs for many, many years in a row. So, I am not sure if that argument works, IMO. The games then were still awesome. I would dare say they were even better.

Well its hard to work up that venom for a team that's near last place, even if their fans are obnoxious.

Well its hard to work up that venom for a team that's near last place, even if their fans are obnoxious.

Wow, I wasn't saying anything bad, but I guess being a whole pt ahead right now makes you feel superior, then enjoy it. Guess you haven't checked the standings lately. I was stating an opinion and was looking to see what others thought. And please don't talk about obnoxious.

I was saying just since I've been watching hockey, not this year in particular. Plus the only Rangers-Isles playoff series I've seen was 94, while I've seen three against the Devils, two of which were epic.

I was saying just since I've been watching hockey, not this year in particular.

Oh okay. But, that is my point. I think there was a span of like 6 or 7 years when both teams were not very good, yet the rivalry was as good as it ever was. At least since I started watching hockey in 1988. I am 31, so that is as far as I recall the rivalry.

I was saying just since I've been watching hockey, not this year in particular. Plus the only Rangers-Isles playoff series I've seen was 94, while I've seen three against the Devils, two of which were epic.

I see your point.

DEVILS, 8 mile-rival..well at least it was the 8 miles

I hate the devils more than the islanders

DEVILS, 8 mile-rival..well at least it was the 8 miles

only 8 miles apart? Really?

Actually, our biggest rivals are the Flyers.

And that actually makes sense.

It's funny that some Devils fans have such a bad ****ing case of "little brother syndrome" that they somehow want to believe that they are our biggest rival.

The Flyers are clearly the Devils biggest rival, yet some people hate New York so much that they actually try and displace the Islanders somehow.

5/9 picks for the Devils in this poll are, in fact, Devils fans.

:D

On a scale of 1 to 10 I hate the Devils at level 10.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I hate the Islanders at about a 12.

I've said it many times -- I don't even hate the Devils that much. I don't LIKE them, but I certainly hate a few more teams than NJ. Their fans are quite obnoxious and n00b-like at times (some people on their board are downright childish), but I have a bit of a respect for them that I've had since they beat Detroit in 1995.

But there are a few teams that I dislike more than the Devils.

Personally, I'd rather Osama Bin Laden and the Al Queda Bombers win the Stanley Cup than the Islanders.

I would have to say it's pretty even. I was leaning towards the Devils but decided to vote even because growing up there were always more Devil fans in school, so I was constantly arguing with them but I think the Rangers-Islanders have a bit more nastiness to them.

Flyers fans hate us more than any other team.

As they should considering the ECF losses at your hands in 1995 and 2000.

Is that why Hatcher bit Zajac? :naughty:

I find this thread hilarious.

Rags fan: "Whose the bigger rival?" "Islanders or Devils?"

Isles fans: "We're the bigger rival!!"

Devils fan: "We don't need the Rangers, our biggest rivals are the Flyers." :heart:

:sarcasm:

Personally I think Rangers Flyers games are more amped up then Rangers Devils, that rivalry has just been seriously lacking.

Honestly, why don't the Rangers have hard hatred for the Flyers???


They beat them in the 95' playoffs, and the 97' playoffs.

Philly vs. New York? Eagles/Giants Phillies/Mets.

C'mon!!

^^Good points. I can say from personal experience as a Mets fan, I can't stand the Phillies. :rant:

As for the Flyers, I can't really build up an intense hatred for them because it's been such a long time since the 97 series. It almost feels like another lifetime. The playoff series are what really build the rivalries for me, which is why at the present moment I can't get too worked up over the Flyers and Islanders. Going 0-8 against a division opponent wouldn't bother me as long as the Rangers beat them in the playoffs.

But who knows what this year's playoff matchups will bring. Maybe rivalries will intensify.

Honestly, why don't the Rangers have hard hatred for the Flyers???


They beat them in the 95' playoffs, and the 97' playoffs.

Philly vs. New York? Eagles/Giants Phillies/Mets.

C'mon!!


Don't blame the fans....most of the time when our teams face off its a close game, which features fights and a lot of hitting....we can't help to love these games, and the same goes for the Philly fans.

Isles

Isles is the bigger.
but Devils is my favorite.

because i'm truly disgusted by everything long island, nassau coliseum, and orange-blue

The replies to this thread put the Islanders ahead by a mile.:shakehead

I hate the Isles more. I think the whole Chris Simon stuff pumped it up a few notches for me. Plus there's just more history there and the whole New York/New York rivalry. I can't stand the Devils (although I love the arena, I've been there twice) but I have more respect for them and I could actually tolerate it when they won the Cup. If the Isles won another one, it would absolutely make me sick. We're talking Red Sox winning the world series twice in four years sick.

Although I enjoy our games against the Isles more than against the Devils. There's just alot of passion and more often than not, the games against the Devils are a trap-fest (and yes, some of that even comes from our team in recent games).

The Flyers are in the argument with me as well. I absolutely despise them. And much like the Islanders, our games are always alot of fun. However, I love the city of Philadelphia and I like the Phillies when I am watching the National League. I do loathe the Eagles though.

Rounding out the division, I don't like the Pens either but the hatred level isn't even close to our big 3 closest rivals.

As someone pointed out I think location determines a lot. Growing up in north Jersey brought made hatred for the Devils through the roof. Devils fans are the absolute worst. I hate the Islanders just as much though. I kind of feel bad for Isles fans because of who they have to root for. As for the Flyers, don't even get me started. Hate them just as much. I despise absolutely every team in our division other than the Penguins. And even the Pens I pretty much hate to death. I mean, Crosby, Staal, Malkin...can you say queers? Our entire division makes my blood boil.

Persoanlly, as an over 30 year Ranger fan, I really don't give the Devils or the Islanders much thought at all..Although the recent Nolan-Simon mentality has added a little to the pot..To me, it's always been the Flyers and their physical play and to this day, I still look more forward to games againmst the FLyers compareed to tilts with the Devils and Isles..

The Islanders rivalry is definatly hotter. I love on LI and all of my friends are Islander fans. But from the games I've watched over the years, (I'm only 20) I think that the Rangers and Devils have better games to watch. I would much rather be at the Garden watching the Devils, rather than the Isles.
*edit: Gotta love the Philly games though.

The Islanders rivalry is definatly hotter. I love on LI and all of my friends are Islander fans. But from the games I've watched over the years, (I'm only 20) I think that the Rangers and Devils have better games to watch. I would much rather be at the Garden watching the Devils, rather than the Isles.
*edit: Gotta love the Philly games though.

Seriously, I miss Washington in the division. They and the Rangers had some battles in the early 90's, and so did the Penguins and Caps. It was like the Pens would come back from 3-1 down every year on them. They have no rivalry now with any of the southeast teams.

All three fan bases have annoying fans with no class that will simply change attitudes no matter what the results are.

The only difference is,

Islanders and Devil fans are less classy. :D :sarcasm:

But I don't understand how any one Ranger fan can say that they hate the Devils more than the Islanders, hell, I hate the Devils' announcers more than I hate the Devils.

I choose the Isles and if you go to MSG for a Rangers/Isles or Rangers/Devils you'll notice the crowd much more into it when the Rangers play the Isles.

I hate the Isles more. I think the whole Chris Simon stuff pumped it up a few notches for me. Plus there's just more history there and the whole New York/New York rivalry. I can't stand the Devils (although I love the arena, I've been there twice) but I have more respect for them and I could actually tolerate it when they won the Cup. If the Isles won another one, it would absolutely make me sick. We're talking Red Sox winning the world series twice in four years sick.

What he said.

Simple question for all you Rangers fans. At this moment, who do you consider a bigger rival to the Rangers -- The Devils or the Islanders?

Could non-Rangers fans refrain from voting? Thanks guys.


Islanders, by far. Who cares about the MM club.

There is no question, the Islanders.

The Devils don't really have a fanbase...witness they can't sell out even when they are winning cups.

When the Isles won cups they were a big deal...the Devils never were nor will be.

Here's a better question....whose a bigger rival?

Flyers or Devils.

I say Flyers because Philly fans are much more numerous and obnoxious....Devil fans are more or less a small sect of metro NY fans.

I choose the Isles and if you go to MSG for a Rangers/Isles or Rangers/Devils you'll notice the crowd much more into it when the Rangers play the Isles.

Not always true, I was at 2 Ranger Devil games this year and the crowd was pretty intense chanting "Marty! Marty!" :handclap:

Top for BillyH20

i think that considering the phrase "at this moment" i would say the devils.

directly in competition with the Rangers - could be the Isles, Devils or Flyers. If you want 'at this moment' it's whichever of the Isles and Devils have the lowest handicap.

my order

1- islanders - just an all around hate, everyone and everything

2- devils- i hate there fans more and but the only part of the team i really hate is brodeur.

Look how many Devils fans came and voted for the Devils... I think we can discount their votes.

Look how many Devils fans came and voted for the Devils... I think we can discount their votes.

yea i noticed that too. and islander fans

Screw the Isles. I grew up on long island after the Cups as a Ranger fan so my loathing for that franchise and their fans knows no bounds. The Devils ... meh, who cares? Outside of Mmmmaaaaarrrrrttttyyyy, there are no real villians, and - let's face it - this is the same team who paraded their championship around a parking lot. Who can take them seriously??

Most hated team- Flyers
Biggest Rival- Devils
Most fun to follow in the off season - Islanders

Def. give the isles best fans though of the three...
Dont get my wrong all 3 have great fans, but the flyers fans can be a bit....savage
Devils fans have some sort of inferiority complex, that even after multiple cup wins they like to pretend their an underdog..
Isles fans deserve an award for the crap they have to put up with with management, and that grotesque building they play in...god i hope they get the lighthouse deal going, the fans deserve it

This shouldn't even be a question. It's easily the Fishsticks, followed by the Flyers, then the Debbies. The Devils are our biggest rivals only in their own minds.

My first ever game was Rangers-Isles at the Coliseum so I personally hate the Isles more. Standings aside, even when both teams are terrible, as they have been not that long ago, these were the games that got me going in an otherwise dreary season.

Remember when Mike Dunham played like a Vezina finalist that one season and swept the series 6-0 from the Isles? Those 6 wins accounted for a quarter of our wins that year! What more do you need?!?!?!

It depends how you look at it really, all time you cannot deny it is the Islanders. Just look at the history it makes it very clear. But as of late it has to be the Devils. The Broduer/Avery conflict really heated that up and the fact they fought for the division last year. As of late the Rangers and Devils have been bigger rivals because well, simply the Islanders are seeing the darkness of the cellar of the division. And the Rangers and Devs were separated by 2 points this year and met in the 1st round this year. They have both been fighting to be better because both have solid hockey clubs. But no matter how bad one does, the Islanders/Rangers rivalry will always be the same. The worse of the bunch will look to crush the hopes of playoffs for the better team, while the other just looks to crush them.

Speaking of rivalries... I got this email from one of my so-called friends. He's a debbies fan, and had been taunting me non-stop after the Rangers were eliminated. I know, big surprise coming from a debbies fan.

In any case, I told him all his ****talking is moot, since the debbies got knocked out in the first round. And his emails only matter if he had been in the second round -- ergo, he must be a Pens fan now, and congrats on picking a good team finally.

Here's his response. Of course, it's rife with living-in-the-past--ness. Help me amass such a good response, the little asshat thinks twice before hitting reply. I want to bury the ****er.

You cannot be serious. If you think there is any real difference between a first round and a second round exit you really have started to settle for mediocrity. But I guess if my team had only won one cup and mortgaged the future on it and then were barely a blip on the screen for the next ten years a second round exit would be a big accomplishment. A **** team well last time I checked my **** team makes the playoffs 90% of the time and yours about 20%. Also we win conference titles you squeak into the playoffs . I dont care about the fan base that is such a week argument but when your not winning you have to grasp for something to hold onto. Really do you think the players care if your there? They dont care they just want there money. So you had more people there to see you end another season without a cup good for you.

The Devils are our biggest rivals only in their own minds.

:handclap::handclap::handclap:

QFMFT.

I'm really surprised at the results of this poll. The Islanders have been so bad for so long I really don't consider them one of our main rivals because they never really challenge for a mid level playoff spot. They basically play to gain that 8th seed and go out in the first round over the last 6/7 years. I fail to see how that is our main rival.
The Devils and the Flyers are the teams we are in more competition with these days. I consider the Devils our main rivals for that reason.

Speaking of rivalries... I got this email from one of my so-called friends. He's a debbies fan, and had been taunting me non-stop after the Rangers were eliminated. I know, big surprise coming from a debbies fan.

In any case, I told him all his ****talking is moot, since the debbies got knocked out in the first round. And his emails only matter if he had been in the second round -- ergo, he must be a Pens fan now, and congrats on picking a good team finally.

Here's his response. Of course, it's rife with living-in-the-past--ness. Help me amass such a good response, the little asshat thinks twice before hitting reply. I want to bury the ****er.
All you have to do is tell him that no matter how many Stanley Cups the Devils win from now on, no one will know and no one will care.

I'm really surprised at the results of this poll. The Islanders have been so bad for so long I really don't consider them one of our main rivals because they never really challenge for a mid level playoff spot. They basically play to gain that 8th seed and go out in the first round over the last 6/7 years. I fail to see how that is our main rival.
The Devils and the Flyers are the teams we are in more competition with these days. I consider the Devils our main rivals for that reason.

Exactly how i feel. The Isles have been so bad while the Devs have been one of the leagues best. Flyers had a blip last year but they have a solid nucleus of young players.

Right now I consider the Penguins more of a rivalry than the Isles, we've never beaten them in the playoffs have we?

Having not been able to follow the Rangers through the 80's, i can't say that dislike them more then the Devils.

For me, honestly because i was old enough to be a die hard Rangers fan in the 90's, i dislike the Devils more.

1-Devils
2-Flyers
3-Penguins
4-Islanders

It would be easier to dislike the Islanders more if they were even a factor, but they aren't, and haven't been for along time.

Anyone who votes Devils, have you been to a Rangers/Islanders game? That may change your mind a bit ;).

Anyone who votes Devils, have you been to a Rangers/Islanders game? That may change your mind a bit ;).

I've been to many over the last 3 decades. In the 80's & early 90's NYR/NYI games were great, but that changed to NYR/NJD. As the teams change so does my hatred ;)

my order

1- islanders - just an all around hate, everyone and everything

2- devils- i hate there fans more and but the only part of the team i really hate is brodeur.

Exactly

Anyone who votes Devils, have you been to a Rangers/Islanders game? That may change your mind a bit ;).

Tons.

But what goes on at those games are fans vs. fans.

The Islanders TEAM is a non-factor.

The Devils are always a factor. Always competitive. Always a threat.

The Islanders are always a fringe 8th seed team.


I can't stand the Islanders.

But i can't stand the Devils more.

The Flyers are always dirty.

The Penguins are the spoiled brat that deserves nothing, yet gets handed everything on a silver platter.

The Islanders are a shell, a shadow of what they once were. They don't scare me when we play them. While the Devils, Flyers, and Penguins are always a threat now.

Actually, i feel pitty for the Islanders. When our rivals are competitive it makes the season more fun. The Islanders are a mess.... but don't get me wrong, i still can't stand them.

From what I see it has to be the Devils. I was at an early season Devils vs Islanders game at The Rock and I saw about 4 guys, 2 in their 20's and 2 in their 50's wearing Rangers stuff and rooting hard for the Islanders. Mind you it was early in the season so you can't say they were rooting for NYI because of positioning in the standings.

I am sure the Rangers fans in Long Island hate the Isles more, but most Rangers fans that I come into contact with in NJ hate the Devs more than any team in the league.

yea i noticed that too. and islander fans

A few Islanders fans voted for them, but many more Rangers fans voted for the Islanders. I think the Devils vote is about at least 50% Devils fans voting in it. :laugh:

Also, I think there is a NJD/NYI/Pitt vs NYR/Philly thing going on lately with the fanbases.

A few Islanders fans voted for them, but many more Rangers fans voted for the Islanders. I think the Devils vote is about at least 50% Devils fans voting in it. :laugh:

Question for you, which board do you spend more time in, the Devils or Isles?

As a Long Island grown as I was I have always hated the Islanders more but as far as a rivalry I think the Devils are the team that poses the biggest threat in the area to us. I don't care how many times the Islanders beat us in the regular season, they cannot even make it to the playoffs. It's the Devils, then the Flyers who are our biggest rivals right now. And I count out the Pens because they obviously own us. They cannot be considered a rival when we are 0 for 4 against them in the playoffs. The bottom line to me is the postseason because we all know the regular season means nothing once April rolls around.

As a Long Island grown as I was I have always hated the Islanders more but as far as a rivalry I think the Devils are the team that poses the biggest threat in the area to us. I don't care how many times the Islanders beat us in the regular season, they cannot even make it to the playoffs. It's the Devils, then the Flyers who are our biggest rivals right now. And I count out the Pens because they obviously own us. They cannot be considered a rival when we are 0 for 4 against them in the playoffs. The bottom line to me is the postseason because we all know the regular season means nothing once April rolls around.

Very good points. Geography plays a part for sure, but playoff history plays a bigger part in my opinion.

Question for you, which board do you spend more time in, the Devils or Isles?

ever thought its because you guys over there are just to funny, maybe he visits the devils board because you guys are that obsessed with all things to do with the rangers he just has to go there for the entertainment.

you guys so desperately want to be our main rivals but no amount of polls on a hockey forum is going to make that happen. sorry

ever thought its because you guys over there are just to funny, maybe he visits the devils board because you guys are that obsessed with all things to do with the rangers he just has to go there for the entertainment.

you guys so desperately want to be our main rivals but no amount of polls on a hockey forum is going to make that happen. sorry

The Rangers team, organization & fans are our most hated team for sure, hands down. I'm not sure that most Devils fans want to be as hated by your fanbase.
I'm not sure where you all are getting that.

However if you think that the Devils are not the most hated or 2nd most hated team by the majority of Rangers fans you are mistaken. The teams play about 7 miles a part, have played in 5 playoff series in the last 15 or so seasons, the Devils had that long unbeaten streak vs the Rangers too. Just look at the tone of the posts on the Devils on this board by Rangers fans, the hatred is obvious.

The Rangers team, organization & fans are our most hated team for sure, hands down. I'm not sure that most Devils fans want to be as hated by your fanbase.
I'm not sure where you all are getting that.

However if you think that the Devils are not the most hated or 2nd most hated team by the majority of Rangers fans you are mistaken. The teams play about 7 miles a part, have played in 5 playoff series in the last 15 or so seasons, the Devils had that long unbeaten streak vs the Rangers too. Just look at the tone of the posts on the Devils on this board by Rangers fans, the hatred is obvious.


well the first part of your reply about your not sure what i am getting at, the fact that this thread was started by a devils fan on a rangers board, plus he isn't the first.

where did i say that the devils were not one of our most hated rivals? in fact if you would have read the whole thread you'll see i put the devils as my 2nd most hated team, islanders 1st.

my main reason for my dislike is the devils fans not the team, the only player i hate on your team is brodeur that should tell you everything you need to know. its similar to my dislike for the pens in which i think the fans are a bit to cocky but the only player i hate is crosby.

Devils fans, I don't even Rank your team as my second most hated. Infact there are times when I wonder if I hate the Isles or the Flyers more. But as is stands, your team is a distant third.

The Devils are now the Rangers biggest rival IMO. Maybe i am biased because i grew up and still live in NJ, but over the past 14 seasons Rangers/Devils have been the game to be at. The Rangers/Isles rivalry has cooled off a bit since the late 80's/early 90's. But a playoff matchup could fan those flames into an inferno again.

I will always have more hatred for the Devils. When you live in NW NJ, where there aren't that many Rangers fans and you are surrounded by Devils fans it is easy to hate that team and their fans. I could care less if the Rangers lost every game to the Islanders as long as they beat the Devils every game. I am sure it would be totally different for me if i lived on LI.

It all depends on your own hockey situation. During the 90's, when the Flyers had Lindros in his prime, I hate the orange like nothing you could believe.... in fact, when the Rangers acquired him I took a break from hockey. I loathed him. It was a shot to the face of the rivalry to sign that puke.

Now, it's the Devils for me. The Isles sucked after the all-star break, and we played the Devils in the first round, how can you not hate the Devils more at this point? Half their board turned into Penguins avatars when they lost to us... the hatred is palpable.

But it changes with time, if we play an epic series against the Isles and we are beaten in seven games off a cheap play that should have been called, the Isles will inhabit the throne... it's an ever changing soup of rivalry.