Judging from the passion displayed in the “Comments” section of this blog, it would appear that the executive feud between Brian Burke of the Ducks and Kevin Lowe of the Edmonton Oilers has lifted the Oilers into the status of being the Ducks’ biggest rivals – at least as far as fans are concerned.
Is that actually the case?
What other teams might vie for that label?
What about the Dallas Stars, foes within the NHL’s Pacific Division who knocked off the Ducks in the opening round of last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs, thus reversing a second-round decision in 2003, when the Ducks upset the Stars en route to the Stanley Cup Finals?
What about the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, who have faced the Ducks in the playoffs four times since 1997, with each side winning twice?
What about the defending Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks, what with the whole Southern California-Northern California thing?
What about the Kings, what with the whole Southern California thing?
What do you think, Ducks fans?
And what do fans of other teams think as far as the Ducks are concerned, in the pecking order of rivals for their teams?
I gotta say that in terms of when I look at the Ducks’ schedule, the first opponent I check out is the SJ Sharks. I think in terms of geographical similarities and team make-up, the Ducks and Sharks have what I’d consider to be ANA’s top rivalry.
That’s not to say that other teams don’t eyeball the Ducks, though. I’m sure with recent history, the Oilers and Red Wings have special places in their hearts for the web-footed ones.
From a fans point of view, I would say the big three rivals in order would be the Kings, Wings, and Oilers. These teams always seem to get under the skin of Ducks fans for various reasons and it’s always more tense when watching one of these games.
In terms of actual play on the ice and the importance that usually accompanies each game, I’d agree with Earl and say the Sharks. They’ve had a solid team for a few years now and always seem to be ready to breakout in the playoffs but have yet to do so. Couple that with the Ducks playoff runs of 06 and 07 along with the increase in division play the past few years, the Sharks have been the more important opponent and usually a good gauge of how each team is doing.
Rivalries are built in the playoffs. Ducks #1 rivals-Red Wings; #2-Edmonton; #3-Kings (geography); #4-San Jose. But Kings could easily become the #1 rival if the Ducks and Kings play a couple thrilling playoff series, it might even take only one.
You’re right, but although the Stars and Sharks are hated adversaries of ours, they are more regarded as pesky teams that are a thorn in the side. Obviously after Dallas embarrassed us and shut us down in the playoffs, they now rank as a team we desperately want to take vengeance on. The Oilers slipped into #2, tied with Detroit, now because of the Burke-Lowe feud, but the Oilers are quickly becoming a heated rival of ours. The Queens of LA will always be our No.1 rival, I just wish they would give us some interesting games, they suck so bad they barely try anymore.
I remember some years back … Ducks were in Dallas … Coming to the aid of Teemu, the last couple of minutes of the game was an all-out brawl. The game ended with so many ejections that there were only like 3 players left on the bench, including Stinky Stalinkov.
For that I would say the Stars … but I absolutely HATE the Sharks, Kings fans, and Avs.
This is it? 5 whopping comment on your beloved quacks? Have most of the quack fans forgotten about their team after one year of winning the cup? Or were they mostly Bandwagoneers. You guys should switch over to the other side where we’re still passionate about our team even after the second year of being in the bottom 5. Seriously, bringing the cup to Anaheim have done nothing for Hockey in Ca. Have you guys seen the T.V. schedule for your beloved quacks and my beloved Kings? It’s garbage.
Poor Mike, so obsessed with the Los Angeles Kings. What’s wrong lil fella, do your feelings get hurt that even when the Ducks are strong, they cannot help getting smacked around by the Kings? Suck it up, buttercup. It’s interesting that even after a Cup win, sad lil Mighty Dicks fans STILL are more obsessed with the Kings. Yet curiously, Kings fans couldn’t care less about the Ducks and their bandwagon fans down the road. If you really want to compare the two teams and their fans, it should be noted that the Staples Center draws huge crowds even when the Kings are doing poorly. I can guarantee you that Anaheim Dicks fans will abandon their team when the Ducks start losing again. Geez, the Ducks can’t even sell out all their games when they ARE good. They have to resort to LYING to fans and calling it a sell-out, then make excuses why there are huge empty sections in the upper deck. Bottom line is the Kings have fans, the Ducks have bandwagon fans. I think maybe this is why whiny lil punks like Mike can’t help obsessing over the Los Angeles Kings. Now if we can just get the OC Register to admit why they don’t have a L.A. Kings section? You include the Dodgers, but ignore the Kings. Did that creepy felon/Ducks team owner Henry Samueli buy you guys off to keep the hockey team with the bigger fan base out of your newspaper?
In our division all teams played us tough last year. This year should even be tougher with good additions (except da Queens) to all our div. opnts.
My pics,
1 D-Boys, always a good game to watch!
2 Fish
3 Queens
4 Yotes
Outside our Div.,
1 Detroilet
2 Oil
3 Wild
4 Flames
It should be noted that I call the Kings the “Queens” with all due respect, because I am openly and proudly gay. If you have a problem with that, too bad boys! Go Ducks!
So original….calling the Kings the Queens. Never heard that before…..oh wait…Shaq started that when he called the Sacramento Kings the Queens. Oh, you duck fans kill me. You and your scary duck calls.
While i do agree with mrk that the television schedual for both teams sucks big monkey testies, it is what it is. The duck fans that want to watch games will find a way to watch. But onto the topic at hand. My list of rivals in order is:
1. L.A. Kings… Just because way too many of their fans are douche bags.
2. Detroit… Always play us tough and is the toughest team in the conference that we play.
3. Oilers…. Because their former GM is a giant Douche as well.
4. Dallas… very tough team to play against and I hate Steve Ott oh and now they have the other biggest tool in the league with Sean Avery. Possibility to move up here.
To be perfectly honest I don’t even put San Jose on the list. Not enough hate between the 2 teams.