Question: Devils - Flyers rivalry

First time to the Devils' board, and I come with a question.

How does Philadelphia fit in your perspective of Devils' rivals? Are the Flyers prime-time rivals of the Devils, or is the rivalry nowhere near the same as with the Rangers?

It seems to have died down a little, but yes, the flyers are still a big rival. devs vs rags is 1st, then devs vs. flyers is 2nd

Yup. Rangers are the #1 rival, Philly is #2.

A few years ago, while the Rangers were in the middle of missing the playoffs for 7 straight years, I probably would have put the Flyers as #1. But the last few years the Rangers have climbed back into the #1 spot.

When we lose to the Flyers, it pisses me off, but I can shake it off and enjoy the rest of the night. If we lose to the Rangers, it will bother me all night and well into the next day or two. I can't stand the ********.

When we lose to the Flyers, it pisses me off, but I can shake it off and enjoy the rest of the night. If we lose to the Rangers, it will bother me all night and well into the next day or two. I can't stand the ********.

My thoughts exactly, nothing pisses me off more than losing to the ******** blue skirts!

1. Rangirls
2. Failures

Yup. Rangers are the #1 rival, Philly is #2.

A few years ago, while the Rangers were in the middle of missing the playoffs for 7 straight years, I probably would have put the Flyers as #1. But the last few years the Rangers have climbed back into the #1 spot.

Agreed. At the height of the Devils' quasi-dynasty, I would have said the Flyers were the team's #1 rival. Since the lockout, it has been Rangers first and Flyers second.

Prelockout (after '97): Flyers
Postlockout: Rags

That basically sums it up.

Agreed. At the height of the Devils' quasi-dynasty, I would have said the Flyers were the team's #1 rival. Since the lockout, it has been Rangers first and Flyers second.

I think where you live has a lot to do with it as well. For example, I am currently in Flyers country, so they aren't that far away from the Rags in my book. Still second, but it's close. Some folks who live in North Jersey may not hate the Flyers as much as I do. That being said, even if I lived in Antarctica and never saw a Rangers fan, I'd still find them more repulsive than an aids sundae covered in turd sprinkles.

To be quite honest, it bothers me a hell of a lot more when we lose to the Flyers, even though I live right outside New York. For as much as I dislike the Rangers, I feel a certain amount of respect for them at the same time. I don't respect the "Cryers" one red cent. But, I'm in the minority here, clearly.

To be quite honest, it bothers me a hell of a lot more when we lose to the Flyers, even though I live right outside New York. For as much as I dislike the Rangers, I feel a certain amount of respect for them at the same time. I don't respect the "Cryers" one red cent. But, I'm in the minority here, clearly.

No, I know what you mean. Since the Rangers actually stopped trying to buy the Cup, they assembled a group of players who were actually somewhat likeable... well until they signed Avery and Gomez of course. The Flyers have always been a bunch of thugs, as has their stereotypical fan (obviously not all the fans).

The Flyers have been so bad over the years (this year included......this playoff run really isnt impressing me) that I think the rivalry has been tarnished from a Devils fan perspective. It's still rewarding when your team beats them, but there is also a pathetic sense of pity as well.

No, I know what you mean. Since the Rangers actually stopped trying to buy the Cup, they assembled a group of players who were actually somewhat likeable... well until they signed Avery and Gomez of course. The Flyers have always been a bunch of thugs, as has their stereotypical fan (obviously not all the fans).
True that. How can you not respect guys like Shanahan, Jagr, Lundqvist and Straka? All class players.

Different story for Avery and Hollweg. Add in Gomez for Devils fans like me.

I carry rivalries week to week and sometimes have none.

I don't have a ton of displeasure for the Flyers at the moment. I don't like Scottie Upshall, though. So I guess I have a rivalry against him. So, the rankings would be those scuzbos with Theo Fleury jerseys and new "hemmed" Lundqvist and Avery replicas, that show up at the Rock while the Rangers are playing... #1, Scottie Upshall #2.

As for back when we were always in the Cup Finals, I would say Leafs #1. I always thought it was funny that they scheduled the Leafs for our banner ceremony in '04.

It's a different kind of rivalry. The Rangers rivalry is personal for a lot of Devils fans - two teams that just viscerally hate one another. The Flyers rivalry is on more of a professional level - two teams with a long history of competition.

The Flyers have been so bad over the years (this year included......this playoff run really isnt impressing me) that I think the rivalry has been tarnished from a Devils fan perspective. It's still rewarding when your team beats them, but there is also a pathetic sense of pity as well.

Actually, I'd have to say that's the way I feel about the Islanders. The Flyers have been tough for the most part (obviously not last season). However, the Islanders have been a laughing stock for the past decade or so.

Actually, I'd have to say that's the way I feel about the Islanders. The Flyers have been tough for the most part (obviously not last season). However, the Islanders have been a laughing stock for the past decade or so.
The Islanders aren't even rivals at this point. They're the other team in the division.

To be quite honest, it bothers me a hell of a lot more when we lose to the Flyers, even though I live right outside New York. For as much as I dislike the Rangers, I feel a certain amount of respect for them at the same time. I don't respect the "Cryers" one red cent. But, I'm in the minority here, clearly.

At least the Rags wear blue, not doofy orange.

Prelockout (after '97): Flyers
Postlockout: Rags

That basically sums it up.

QFT
:thumbu:

I will continue the notion that,

Pre-lockout: Flyers
Post-lockout: Rangers

The hatred for the Rangers by most Devils fans is much, much stronger than what we have for the Flyers. I hated the Flyers more from '95 to 2001 than I do now too.

The Flyers have been so bad over the years (this year included......this playoff run really isnt impressing me) that I think the rivalry has been tarnished from a Devils fan perspective. It's still rewarding when your team beats them, but there is also a pathetic sense of pity as well.

I don't know how you could say the Flyers are "bad" this season. That's hyperbole. Perhaps overrated, overacheiving, yes, I agree. But "bad" is a poor way to characterize a team that made it to a conference final.

The Flyers were my absolute number one hated team in the days of LeClair, Desjardins and Lindros.

Nowadays, I hate the Rangers in an almost unnatural fashion, followed closely by the Flyers.

It's a different kind of rivalry. The Rangers rivalry is personal for a lot of Devils fans - two teams that just viscerally hate one another. The Flyers rivalry is on more of a professional level - two teams with a long history of competition.

IMO...this truly sums it all up.

I'd like to apologise for my words in this thread. They were uncalled for, and I'm sorry for that.

The Devils will always be the Rangers #1 rival IMO and vice-versa.

I have a related question for you guys. What teams fans piss you off the most when they come to your building?

For me, it is the Flyers. Their fans are the most obnoxious that i have ever encountered at a game. Montreal fans are a tad annoying as well. As much as i hate the Devils, the vast majority of you guys are great fans. Plus i think it adds to the atmosphere of the game and rivalry. Interested to hear what you all have to say.

Flyers fans have always pissed me off at games.

I attended game 5 of our first round series, and I will have to say the Rangers fans in the building that night were some of the most disrespectful pieces of trash I have ever seen in my life. I'm not lumping everyone into a category, because that's not fair, and the game/3-1 lead most likely had something to do with it, but it was horrendous.

Flyers and Rangers fans are tied right now IMHO. I've never been to a Devs Flyers game where we lost, but I could only imagine how they would be if they won being that they're obnoxious as **** when they lose.

Either way, I love cut-throat, true die-hard fans. Just keep the language and obscenities down if someone isn't being an ass, or if theres children around.

Oh....and please stop calling PruCenter "MSG South". It's not cute or funny.

First time to the Devils' board, and I come with a question.

How does Philadelphia fit in your perspective of Devils' rivals? Are the Flyers prime-time rivals of the Devils, or is the rivalry nowhere near the same as with the Rangers?

The Tetracrhy of Evil as of Spring 2008:

1. NYR



2. Flyers
3. Montreal
4. Detroit

And #1 & #2 have two of the most cantankerous, pompous and arrogant owners in pro sports.

And #1 & #2 have two of the most cantankerous, pompous and arrogant owners in pro sports.

Dolan isn't exactly a fan favorite in NY either. He cares more about his profit and bottom line than he does about the Rangers. I for one would love to kick him in the balls for that ream job he did to us with the playoff ticket prices.

The Devils will always be the Rangers #1 rival IMO and vice-versa.

I have a related question for you guys. What teams fans piss you off the most when they come to your building?

For me, it is the Flyers. Their fans are the most obnoxious that i have ever encountered at a game. Montreal fans are a tad annoying as well. As much as i hate the Devils, the vast majority of you guys are great fans. Plus i think it adds to the atmosphere of the game and rivalry. Interested to hear what you all have to say.
Flyers fans used to be by far the worst at the CAA. But since we moved to the Rock I've been to a couple Flyers games, and those Flyers fans I've sat near have not only been pretty nice people, but pretty good conversation even while their team was losing.

Rangers fans have been brutal to sit near.

I don't have a problem with the Flyers anymore, only some of their fans. They can beat us (which they usually don't) and I could care less.
I passionately hate the Rangers when we play them, but when were not I could care less.
I love the Islanders and their fans.

I HATE THE PENGUINS THOUGH. SO MUCH.

Most Hated:

1) Rangers
2) Flyers FANS
3) Flyers
4) Ranger Fans

The Devils will always be the Rangers #1 rival IMO and vice-versa.


http://www.orangeandbluehue.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/shocked.jpg

http://www.orangeandbluehue.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/shocked.jpg

You take a quote seriously from a man known as "HenriksBetter"?

l0Lz

The Devils will always be the Rangers #1 rival IMO and vice-versa.

I have a related question for you guys. What teams fans piss you off the most when they come to your building?
Interested to hear what you all have to say.

Flyers fans used to be the worst at CAA by a wide margin.

But at The Rock this season Rangers fans took the cake for the most drunken and neanderthal behaviors. I'm not broadbrushing all Rangers fans that attended, but a lot of them.
The only fights in the stands/concourse/outside I saw all season at The Rock were in games vs NYR. In the playoffs it seemed that many of their fans were out in public for the first time.

Other than those two fanbases, the visiting fans of all other teams were cool, including Isles fans, Habs fans, Leafs fans and Sabres fans (those teams had the msot visiting fans aside from NYR and Philly).

You take a quote seriously from a man known as "HenriksBetter"?

l0Lz
Rangers fans try to keep that information secret like its ****ing Watergate.

Flyers fans used to be by far the worst at the CAA. But since we moved to the Rock I've been to a couple Flyers games, and those Flyers fans I've sat near have not only been pretty nice people, but pretty good conversation even while their team was losing.

Rangers fans have been brutal to sit near.

That's because those type of FLyers fans still show up at the CAA and wonder where is everybody and just go home.

Muttley is right regarding ownership of those two teams, they lie to their fans constantly and Dolan filters his name on MSG.com and you can never invoke it.

You take a quote seriously from a man known as "HenriksBetter"?

l0Lz

Yeah better than what? You can't even say he had a bad playoff cause he was tired. He was never really that great to begin with. Now with the crackdown on pads he's gonna be even worse.

I almost rooted for the Flyers last night. I was at this bar and there were a bunch of Pens fans (In Manhattan?) wearing all their Crosby jerseys, seriously like 15 Crosby jerseys, breaking **** and being a-holes.

I almost rooted for the Flyers last night. I was at this bar and there were a bunch of Pens fans (In Manhattan?) wearing all their Crosby jerseys, seriously like 15 Crosby jerseys, breaking **** and being a-holes.

I was in AC on Monday night and there were people in Penguin jerseys all over the place..

I was surprised to see so many people wearing Pens jerseys & apparel and not 1 person in Flyers gear

Crosby jerseys are going along the lines of Jordan jerseys, some of the people you see in them are not really Pens fans.

Yeah better than what? You can't even say he had a bad playoff cause he was tired. He was never really that great to begin with. Now with the crackdown on pads he's gonna be even worse.

Sounds like someone is still a little bitter over losing 11 out of 13 games to a guy who "was never really that great to begin with."

The Flyers have been so bad over the years (this year included......this playoff run really isnt impressing me) that I think the rivalry has been tarnished from a Devils fan perspective. It's still rewarding when your team beats them, but there is also a pathetic sense of pity as well.

Last 4 seasons the Flyers have 4 playoff series victories, including one over the Devils, to the Devils 2 playoff series wins.

The regular season numbers save for last season have also been incredibly close.

Now 94-03 is a different story, but the Devils certainly haven't been a signifcantly better team than the Flyers post 2003 Stanley Cup.

Flyers fans used to be the worst at CAA by a wide margin.

But at The Rock this season Rangers fans took the cake for the most drunken and neanderthal behaviors. I'm not broadbrushing all Rangers fans that attended, but a lot of them.
The only fights in the stands/concourse/outside I saw all season at The Rock were in games vs NYR. In the playoffs it seemed that many of their fans were out in public for the first time.

Other than those two fanbases, the visiting fans of all other teams were cool, including Isles fans, Habs fans, Leafs fans and Sabres fans (those teams had the msot visiting fans aside from NYR and Philly).

I recall those days well, the Flyers fans at CAA were disgusting.

I was at both Boston games at The Rock this year and both times I had Bruins fans in the vicinity and they were very cool. Lots of spirited discussion and no one had to sink to the childish arguing and disgusting obscenities I've encountered from the aforementioned.

Even when the Devils came back from being down 3-0 to win :)

Yup. Rangers are the #1 rival, Philly is #2.

A few years ago, while the Rangers were in the middle of missing the playoffs for 7 straight years, I probably would have put the Flyers as #1. But the last few years the Rangers have climbed back into the #1 spot.

I agree. During those "lean years" for the Rangers, some of the best playoff hockey I saw was the Devils-Flyers battles, especially the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals. Plus those two teams were always battling for 1st place in the division.

Sounds like someone is still a little bitter over losing 11 out of 13 games to a guy who "was never really that great to begin with."
Will the Rangers be hanging the 11 out of 13 Banner next season?
For a team with fans that "dont care about the Devils" they seem to love to hold onto these meaningless stats that dont matter, since you spent millions of dollars to bow out in the second round.
Come on.

Sounds like someone is still a little bitter over losing 11 out of 13 games to a guy who "was never really that great to begin with."

You know, of course the playoff loss stung, but I was beginning to think that Lundqvist will be forever in the heads of Devils players, but that playoff loss was a blessing in disguise. We were able to light up Henrik for 12 goals, a major accomplishment for the worst Devils offense in team history. And no, not all of the goals were defelctions and yes, it was lighting it up for the Devils team against Lundqvist.

At times in that playoff round, our pathetic offense seemed to have Lundqvist on the ropes and made him flop all over the place. With that swiss cheese NYR defense and If we had anything more than a beer league quality offense, we could have easily forced him out of several games.

I have tremendous confidence going into next season that Devil players will no longer be a deer caught in the headlights when it comes to facing Lundqvist. And this is independent of the impending equipment changes.

Patrik Elias still owns Henrik Lundqvist and I have a feeling that many others will too.

... some of the best playoff hockey I saw was the Devils-Flyers battles, especially the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals. Plus those two teams were always battling for 1st place in the division.Yes. Between the Rangers winning the first Atlantic Division Championship in 1994 and the Penguins winning it this season, the Devils or Flyers were the only teams win it over the course of those 12 seasons. The two teams even finished 1st and 2nd nine times.

Islanders fans are alright too. It's a friendly rivalry.

Islanders fans are alright too. It's a friendly rivalry.

Devs and Isles fans have to endure the same nonsense on MSG+ along with the biased media (print and radio) in NY that does not give our teams a fair shake compared to the Big City team. This has bonded us together vs the Rags.

We were able to light up Henrik for 12 goals, a major accomplishment for the worst Devils offense in team history.While the Devils had the lowest Goals Per Game since coming to New Jersey, it is disingenuous to call them the worst offense in team history. The teams of 1983-84, 1982-83, 1995-96, 1984-85 and 2006-07 were all worse, ranked from worst through fifth worst, when adjusted for league wide scoring. It is interesting to note that the Devils scoring didn't drop as significantly as the overall NHL scoring between last year and this year even after losing Brian Rafalski and Scott Gomez.


FIVE OFFENSIVELY WORST DEVILS TEAMS
SEASON|NHL G/GP|NJD G/GP|% of NHL
1983-84|3.94|2.89|73.3%
1982-83|3.86|2.88|74.5%
1995-96|3.15|2.62|83.4%
1984-85|3.89|3.30|84.9%
2006-07|2.88|2.51|87.3%


FIVE OFFENSIVELY BEST DEVILS TEAMS
SEASON|NHL G/GP|NJD G/GP|% of NHL
2000-01|2.76|3.60|130.6%
1998-99|2.63|3.02|115.0%
1993-94|3.24|3.64|112.4%
1999-00|2.75|3.06|111.5%
1997-98|2.64|2.74|104.1%


KEY:
NHL G/GP: The NHL league-wide goals scored per game by each team
NJD G/GP: The number of goals the Devils scored per game
% of NHL: How the Devils compare to the average NHL team. 100% would be equal, less than 100% worse and more than 100% better than the average NHL team that season.

Will the Rangers be hanging the 11 out of 13 Banner next season?
For a team with fans that "dont care about the Devils" they seem to love to hold onto these meaningless stats that dont matter, since you spent millions of dollars to bow out in the second round.
Come on.


I love it. How is going 11-2 against the Devils is now a meaningless stat? When the Devils went on that 23 game unbeaten streak against the Rangers i never heard the end of it from Devils fans. But now that shoe is on the other foot it is meaningless.

While the Devils had the lowest Goals Per Game since coming to New Jersey, it is disingenuous to call them the worst offense in team history. The teams of 1983-84, 1982-83, 1995-96, 1984-85 and 2006-07 were all worse, ranked from worst through fifth worst, when adjusted for league wide scoring. It is interesting to note that the Devils scoring didn't drop as significantly as the overall NHL scoring between last year and this year even after losing Brian Rafalski and Scott Gomez.


It wasn't that I was disingenous, it was that my passion was greater than my reason and I really didn't want to do research.

Regardless, our offense was pathetic no matter what the stats indicate. ;)

I love it. How is going 11-2 against the Devils is now a meaningless stat? When the Devils went on that 23 game unbeaten streak against the Rangers i never heard the end of it from Devils fans. But now that shoe is on the other foot it is meaningless.

I consider the 11-2 record a one-year fluke, which goes hand in hand with our 2-6 record against the NYI. That's a pathetic 4-17 record against both area teams, which of course counts in the standings, but I still considered what happened this year a total fluke.

I consider the 23 game unbeaten streak total domination of epic proportions, stretched out over different lineups, players, coaches, eras, Presidential administrations, etc.

Now if the NYR go 7-1 again against the Devils next season, then I would have to drop the fluke status, but I know that won't happen. :sarcasm:

You know, of course the playoff loss stung, but I was beginning to think that Lundqvist will be forever in the heads of Devils players, but that playoff loss was a blessing in disguise. We were able to light up Henrik for 12 goals, a major accomplishment for the worst Devils offense in team history. And no, not all of the goals were defelctions and yes, it was lighting it up for the Devils team against Lundqvist.

At times in that playoff round, our pathetic offense seemed to have Lundqvist on the ropes and made him flop all over the place. With that swiss cheese NYR defense and If we had anything more than a beer league quality offense, we could have easily forced him out of several games.

I have tremendous confidence going into next season that Devil players will no longer be a deer caught in the headlights when it comes to facing Lundqvist. And this is independent of the impending equipment changes.

Patrik Elias still owns Henrik Lundqvist and I have a feeling that many others will too.

You said it best about the Rangers D. They were the reason Lundqvist was scrambling and flopping. The Rangers are the only team that lets opposing players set up a tent and build a fire in front of the net. They were terrible at clearing guys and pucks from the front of the net all year. If they imrove the blueline in the offseason, Henriks numbers will only get better even if they do cut down on the pad size IMO.

Elias is one of the two Devils i fear everytime he steps on the ice, the other being Parise. Both of them have great hands and can rip a shot top corner, just under the crossbar with ease. If you give either of them time and space they will pick any goaltender apart.

I consider the 11-2 record a one-year fluke, which goes hand in hand with our 2-6 record against the NYI. That's a pathetic 4-17 record against both area teams, which of course counts in the standings, but I still considered what happened this year a total fluke.

I consider the 23 game unbeaten streak total domination of epic proportions, stretched out over different lineups, players, coaches, eras, Presidential administrations, etc.

Now if the NYR go 7-1 again against the Devils next season, then I would have to drop the fluke status, but I know that won't happen. :sarcasm:

The Rangers going 11-2 was no fluke. The exception to the norm maybe, but no fluke. Do i think they will go 7-1 again next season? I wish they would, but doubt it. The Devils are nothing like those terrible Rangers teams in the late 90's/early 00's so it won't be easy. The fact that you have Brodeur makes it very possible to go the other way. Either way the games should be as exciting and stressful as they were this season.

For me, it's:

1. Rangers
2. Penguins
3. Flyers
4. Islanders

The Tetracrhy of Evil as of Spring 2008:

1. NYR



2. Flyers
3. Montreal
4. Detroit

And #1 & #2 have two of the most cantankerous, pompous and arrogant owners in pro sports.

Oh, I almost forgot:

You can add that meddlesome matriarch-witch Carol Neidermayer to my list at #1A

I love it. How is going 11-2 against the Devils is now a meaningless stat? When the Devils went on that 23 game unbeaten streak against the Rangers i never heard the end of it from Devils fans. But now that shoe is on the other foot it is meaningless.
Well the streak lasted, what? 4 Years?
It is meaningless, it had no bearing on the season, the Devils still had a better record and the Rangers go yet another season without a cup.
I just find it funny how when the Rangers adopted the Devils "hated" style they finally have a dominant season against NJ.
The Rangers had an offense that on paper looked incredible and they scored 3 more goals than a Devils team that had an offense that at times could barely crack the zone.

It's hard for me to root against the Flyers. I just got HD and its unreal. I'm so happy.
Go Stars and Flyers.

It's hard for me to root against the Flyers. I just got HD and its unreal. I'm so happy.
Go Stars and Flyers.
Its easy for me and yes HD hockey rules.

Its easy for me and yes HD hockey rules.

I just want to watch more :(

Most Hated:

1) Rangers
2) Flyers FANS
3) Flyers
4) Ranger FansI score this the same.:nod:

The Phans are a disgrace to mankind. They make the Garden dwellers look like cheap imitations.

With the Flyers eliminated today it takes my dislike for them down a notch now. ;)

With the Flyers eliminated today it takes my dislike for them down a notch now. ;)For LK I now channel my Philly hatred toward the Phillies. Good riddance Flyers.:D

As long as this counter keeps running, I'm happy.

http://phillysucks.com/

As long as this counter keeps running, I'm happy.

http://phillysucks.com/

My friend showed me that website interestingly enough about a week ago. The hate mail letters are a thing of beauty.

I am old enough to have been a Rangers fan as a little kid pre-1982, so I hate the Flyers more than any other sports franchise except the Cowboys.

I generally agree with those who identify the lockout as the point of demarcation between Flyers and Rangers being our #1 rivals.

I will add, though, that this year the Rangers rivalry seems to have been ratcheted up several notches, for several reasons -- some obvious and some not:

1. Gomez
2. Avery
3. Rags fans. They felt like with the Gomer/Drury signings and idiot biased Michael Farber at SI picking them to win the cup, they would finally end their 14-year championship drought. They also had easier access than ever to Devils home games and were determined to vent their feelings of inferiority about the dump their team inhabits relative to our gleaming new hockey palace by behaving quite badly when attending said games. The Devils lousy performance against the Rags this season only emboldened their fans with every passing game.

The statement about Rag fans obviously isn't true across the board, but having gone to two Rags games at the Rock this year I have to say the majority of Rag fans that sat near me were positively insufferable -- way moreso than at the CAA.