The New York Rangers have had plenty of rivals over the history of the franchise. Some rivals come and go, but others stick forever.
The New York Rangers aren’t often a team that sheds blood. They don’t fight often, and aside from Tanner Glass in recent seasons, they don’t employ an enforcer. Even without fighting, the Rangers can play heated games.
Since 2010, the Rangers have had a handful of distinctive rivals that differ from the usual suspects. For one, the New Jersey Devils have been on a downswing since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. The New York Islanders have also struggled in recent seasons, having only made the playoffs twice.
Although the old school rivals are lacking, the Rangers still have other established rivals. The Philadelphia Flyers, for example, have been a rival of the Rangers since they entered the league in the 1960s, and their rivalry has hit a second wind in recent years.
Each rival team of the Rangers share unique relationships. Not all rivalries are built the same, and some are less traditional than others. Even so, rivalries are still tense and exciting.