Top-3 Leafs Rivals Today???

Which 3-teams in the League today are the biggest Leafs' Rivals?........and which one is your personal favorite?.........Comments...Opinions...Let's here what you have to say about the Top-3 Leafs Rivals Today.

Id say Ottawa and Philly are 1-2, with the Habs and Isles close. One can argue that the Devils and Wings could be included as well. Obviously, we'd all love to see more Wings-Leafs games!

Id Say the Leafs biggest rivals are the Sens,Habs(old habits die hard) and either the Flyers or Islanders

Which 3-teams in the League today are the biggest Leafs' Rivals?........and which one is your personal favorite?.........Comments...Opinions...Let's here what you have to say about the Top-3 Leafs Rivals Today.

Philly Flyers- A few playoff series in recent years. The Sandy McCarthy incident, Brashear, the Domi/ penalty box incident.... I hate the Flyers when they play the Leafs but I respect them as a team.

Montreal Canadiens- Mostly because of history and geography. Rivalry hasn't been all that hot recently but it will always be there. I don't hate the Canadiens but I love when we beat them. I root for them to make the playoffs.

Ottawa Senoritas- Well the battle of Ontario sure intensified with our playoff meetings. I despise the Sens. I couldn't care less if they are Canadian, I'll never cheer for them- they could finished dead last for all I care. Some of their fans have this pompous attitude and it isn't justified. I'd hate to see them leave Ottawa though.

The Habs ? That's ancient history.

The three biggest rivalries are obvious : the Devils, Senabores and the Islanders.

The Flyers aren't a real team.

Id say Ottawa and Philly are 1-2, with the Habs and Isles close. One can argue that the Devils and Wings could be included as well. Obviously, we'd all love to see more Wings-Leafs games!

Without question the best atmosphere in the ACC is when Detroit is in town. I cannot wait for Dec. 6th.

Ottawa, New Jersey, and I suppose Philly is #3.

Honourable mention to Detroit, Buffalo, Islanders and Montreal.

And honourary honourable mention to Edmonton, Vancouver, and Calgary just because the Western teams hate that the building is half Leaf fans every time Toronto plays there.

Anyone else find it weird that Boston isnt considered a big rival even though we're in the same division *and* both are original six teams? Generally speaking, it's not that far away either. Strange.

New Jersey?

Really?

I'd say:

1. Ottawa
2. Philadelphia
3. (tie) Buffalo/NY Islanders

I would say that tradition is still the key to leaf rivalries.

1.Montreal,hands down the leafs biggest rivals and one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports.
2.Detroit,once the nhl places detroit in the eastern conference where they belong we'll be blessed with more of this great rivalry.
3.Philadelphia,this one and all others pale in comparison to the 1st two but the roughness of the games and intensity give it the edge over the rest.

Honorable mention to the hawks,sabres and the other canadian teams.
Interesting that Ottawa is viewed as a big rival.It must be an Ontario thing because out west nobody gets very excited about a leaf/sens game unless its in the playoffs but that has more to do with it being the playoffs then it does about it being the sens.

Chicago, for me anyways. Going back to the early 90's, as well as growing up in a house of Hawk fans. Never will forget how much those games got me fired up.

Montreal, may lack it on the ice, but as long as the there is Hab fans out there, I will always consider them a rival.

Ottawa, self-expanitory.

Detroit, just cant stand them.

Islanders, still feel a little animosity towards them. Wouldn't be surprised to see this rival fade. Same can be said for Jersey, though the rival is fading fast.

Philly, to a lesser degree. It's there on the ice for sure. I just cant seem to hate them like I do the rest.

I do now consider the Western Canadian teams a bit of rival. They love beating the leafs, before I could care less, now the feeling is mutual.

Ottawa, Montereal and Philly/NYI

1.Ottawa
2.Philly
3.NYI

Im surprised the Sabres aren't getting more votes. The majority of Buffalo fans would say they are our number one rival, and the rest would have them second. Where does the rivalry with NJ come from? The Domi incident?

Philly Flyers- A few playoff series in recent years. The Sandy McCarthy incident, Brashear, the Domi/ penalty box incident.... I hate the Flyers when they play the Leafs but I respect them as a team.

Montreal Canadiens- Mostly because of history and geography. Rivalry hasn't been all that hot recently but it will always be there. I don't hate the Canadiens but I love when we beat them. I root for them to make the playoffs.

Ottawa Senoritas- Well the battle of Ontario sure intensified with our playoff meetings. I despise the Sens. I couldn't care less if they are Canadian, I'll never cheer for them- they could finished dead last for all I care. Some of their fans have this pompous attitude and it isn't justified. I'd hate to see them leave Ottawa though.


Everything you said is the way i feel as well lol.... are you my long lost twin hahha jj

Im surprised the Sabres aren't getting more votes. The majority of Buffalo fans would say they are our number one rival, and the rest would have them second. Where does the rivalry with NJ come from? The Domi incident?

I agree the Sabres should be getting more consideration on this thread. Maybe it's because they last couple years Buffalo hasn't been real competitive.

But I think Buffalo's going to have a great year and I wouldn't be surprised to see this rivalry heat up again in a big way.

The New Jersey rivalry has to do with a couple of playoff meetings. We lost to them a couple of times and every time we play them we just want to beat them bad. Plus they've got some tougher guys like Stevens and White that add to the on-ice rivalry.

I think a main factor that the rivalry hasn't heated up is because of the lack of playoff series. A couple years in a row of playoff meetings would stir things up again.

Which 3-teams in the League today are the biggest Leafs' Rivals?........and which one is your personal favorite?.........Comments...Opinions...Let's here what you have to say about the Top-3 Leafs Rivals Today.

It's funny. You hear on HNIC all the time about the wicked rivalry between Toronto and Montreal and it is always talked about pre-game by Leaf players but once I heard this same question asked to a Habs coach or managment personnal and he responded that the Bruins were their greatest rivalry stating that the Leafs had some bad teams after 67 and were not really a threat. Are we still living in the past?

I would say that Philly, Sens and Detroit are our biggest rivalries.

The traditional rivalries are slowly becoming extinct. Mediocrity has made the Leafs-Habs rivalry somewhat uninteresting.

Detroit has to join the East to heat that one again.

1. Ottawa - within the last few years this rivalry has grown quickly. Go anywhere in Ottawa and talk about the Leafs and see if you make it to dawn.

2. Philly - I just think that these 2 teams have a great time playing and hammering each other. As long as Roenick and Tucker don't get too soft, this is a healthy rivalry.

3. Buffalo and NYI - Every time these teams play T.O there is a nastiness to the games. They naturally hate each other's guts but it's must see TV.

1. Ottawa
2. Buffalo
3. Islanders

Honorable mention to the hawks,sabres and the other canadian teams.
Interesting that Ottawa is viewed as a big rival.It must be an Ontario thing because out west nobody gets very excited about a leaf/sens game unless its in the playoffs

Well, I don't get jazzed about a Flames/Oilers game, even though it's a big rivalry...

Well, I don't get jazzed about a Flames/Oilers game, even though it's a big rivalry...

Ya i guess its a regional thing.

Habs, Sens and Philly


For Montreal: Boston, Toronto

1. philly
2. new jersey
3. ottawa

only because they're the teams we're trying to beat :p

1. philly
2. new jersey
3. ottawa

only because they're the teams we're trying to beat :p


My hatred for Philly runs deep and only after only a few years of being back in the East. I really anticipate those games and are the ones that I circle on my calendar. It really hurt losing to them last year and I hope we will be able to re-deem ourselves.

it was more fun when they had lindros and mccarthy, but primeau and brashear are getting there :rant:

1) Montreal
2) Ottawa
3) Philadelphia

it was more fun when they had lindros and mccarthy, but primeau and brashear are getting there :rant:

I hate Brashear far more than I ever hated Mccarthy though I I had no love for him either. I find those games to but great from teh get go and really looked forward to putting that hurt on them last year. I nearly cried when they were beat out.

hitchcock's team defense did it.

that really bothered me.
i was hoping corson could get the team going in defense mode LOL

Ottawa, New Jersey, and I suppose Philly is #3.

Honourable mention to Detroit, Buffalo, Islanders and Montreal.

And honourary honourable mention to Edmonton, Vancouver, and Calgary just because the Western teams hate that the building is half Leaf fans every time Toronto plays there.

Anyone else find it weird that Boston isnt considered a big rival even though we're in the same division *and* both are original six teams? Generally speaking, it's not that far away either. Strange.

Yep....I find that with Boston too.........I mean they should be one of our bigest rivals........I don't hate the Bruins either........I guess maybe it's because they sort of remind us of the Leafs?...........A Good team but not a Great team that can beat anyone on any given night.

It's funny. You hear on HNIC all the time about the wicked rivalry between Toronto and Montreal and it is always talked about pre-game by Leaf players but once I heard this same question asked to a Habs coach or managment personnal and he responded that the Bruins were their greatest rivalry stating that the Leafs had some bad teams after 67 and were not really a threat. Are we still living in the past?

I would say that Philly, Sens and Detroit are our biggest rivalries.
You're right.........I remember one time they were interviewing Larry Robinson and they told him that the Leafs players like Sittler and Palmateer would always be pumped up to be in a game against the Habs HOWEVER, Larry Robinson responded by stating that the Habs games against the Leafs he and his mates thought were not as big a deal like it was for the Leafs players......and for him personally he would get pumped for the games against Boston.

Well my personal three are not as different as what most Leafs fans in here have already listed but here are mine anyways:

(1) New Jersey Devils........All roads to the Stanley Cup in the Eastern Conference goes through Jersey...the team that has stood in Toronto's Stanley Cup path on more than one occasion.........

(2) Ottawa Senators........maybe after this season I may place them at the #1 slot....I loved those "Battle of Albertas" and now we have are very own; "Battle of Ontario"........I don't really hate the Sens but I really like the intensity of these games between these 2..........

(3) Philadelphia Flyers.........Not only are the games in Toronto exciting but those Fans in Philly REALLY hate our Leafs and add to the atmosphere of a Flyers-Leafs matchup there in Philly.

I dunno, I'm surprised the Sabres don't get more recognition here. But I realize you guys do have a ton of rivalries. Buffalo-Toronto down here are the games I will never miss. It's always such a good time. Your fans are loud as hell too when you guys come here. It's annoying heh.

I dunno, I'm surprised the Sabres don't get more recognition here. But I realize you guys do have a ton of rivalries. Buffalo-Toronto down here are the games I will never miss. It's always such a good time. Your fans are loud as hell too when you guys come here. It's annoying heh.

I think it's more a rival for the Leaf fans who live closer to Buffalo, (Hamilton, St Catherines, etc) Those who are able to get down to Buffalo more conveniently. I'm sure more Leaf fans would consider it a greater rival, if there were thousands of Sabre fans in the ACC every time Buffalo visited Toronto. I'm sure if you asked the players, Buffalo would be right up there. No hiding the fact that these two teams dont like each other, have been known for some pretty good physical battles over the years. Always been some of my favorite games. I do intend to get down To Buffalo for a Leafs/Sabres game one of these years, maybe that will add to how I individually see this rivalry.

Ya I agree about the Sabres......I've been down to Buffalo on more than one occasion to see a Leafs-Sabres game and the place there Rocks.......I'm willing to bet that they get more REAL Leafs/hockey fans going to THAT game than they have going at ACC.....the ACC tickets are mostly bought out by the huge corporations and banks from Metro and for these folks a night out at a Leafs game is just something to do with their free time.....whereas a game down in Buffalo for THOSE Leafs fans is a Night to remember.........I didn't place them in my top-3 but if we were talking about a top-4 then I would insert the Sabres in that slot.

I went to the Leafs Sabres game at HSBC last year (the one with the four fights in the first period) and there were only about 4 other Sabres fans in my section. It was a great atmosphere. I would encourage any Leafs fans to make the trip down, I'ts really an awesome time.

I usually go down with a large group of fans and we manage to get about 5-buses filled up for a game in Buffalo with the Leafs.....If you haven't been to a Leafs game in Buffalo you should check it out sometime folks.......that place rocks in there.

I went to the Leafs Sabres game at HSBC last year (the one with the four fights in the first period) and there were only about 4 other Sabres fans in my section. It was a great atmosphere. I would encourage any Leafs fans to make the trip down, I'ts really an awesome time.

Yeah you guys usually take up a few sections of our arena. It's annoying but its very exciting as well. Toronto fans are hilarious I have to admit. Whenever you guys score down here, your fans act as if you've won the Stanley Cup lol. I'm not making fun of you guys, I just think it's funny.

Yeah you guys usually take up a few sections of our arena. It's annoying but its very exciting as well. Toronto fans are hilarious I have to admit. Whenever you guys score down here, your fans act as if you've won the Stanley Cup lol. I'm not making fun of you guys, I just think it's funny.

:lol:

LOL........Ya I know what you mean......It's because Buffalo seems to have our number the last few years and whenever we score on you guys or actually win a game it almost feels like we've just won the Stanley Cup.........It was ESPECIALLY tough to score on the Sabres when Hasek was your Goalie.

Sens
Flyers
Devils/Habs/Wings

1. Ottawa Senators: The fans hate each other, the city of Ottawa is determined to see the Sens take down the Leafs and the constant playoffs matchups only serve to further an extremely heated rivalry.

2. Montreal Canadiens: Not what it once was when both were constantly competing for the cup, but the historical rivalry is still strong between the most illustrious teams in hockey history.
Always a sure bet for entertainment regardless of how far apart the teams have grown over the years.

3. New Jersey/Buffalo: Take your pick, I favor the Leafs-Devils mini rivalry but both are generally entertaining matches.

Philladelphia/New York Islanders are on the periphery.

Hey Rand.........that's a much better Avatar....I'm sure the Leafs supporters in here will like that one over your last one.

:yo:

The Flyers aren't a real team.
:lol:
That's pretty funny!

:lol:
That's pretty funny!
I wonder what that was supposed to mean?......Flyers always play the Leafs tough.....they have my respect.