Hockey fans are passionate. But nothing brings that passion out quite like a team you can’t stand.
A recent fan survey asked supporters to name their 1st, 2nd and 3rd most hated NHL teams, with the responses combined into a weighted ranking for each fanbase.
The results show just how differently NHL fans view their biggest rivals — and some teams appear repeatedly as targets of hatred across the league.
Rivalries are alive and well
For many fanbases, the teams they hate most are obvious rivals.
The Ducks, for example, listed the Los Angeles Kings as their top hated team, followed by the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile, Bruins fans put the Toronto Maple Leafs first, followed by the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.
And if you’re a Sabres fan, the Canadiens were at the top of the list, with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins following behind.
Canadian rivalries dominate
It’s no surprise that Canadian teams show plenty of familiar names on their lists.
The Flames listed the Pittsburgh Penguins as their No. 1 most hated team, followed by Montreal and Vegas.
For the Oilers, the Florida Panthers topped the list, followed by Vegas and Calgary.
The Canadiens had the Rangers at No. 1, followed by Ottawa and Philadelphia.
And for Maple Leafs fans, Vegas was No. 1, followed by Montreal and Boston.
Vegas shows up everywhere
One of the most noticeable patterns in the graphic is the number of times the Vegas Golden Knights appear.
Vegas is listed among the three most hated teams by numerous fanbases, including the Ducks, Flames, Blackhawks, Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Oilers, Panthers, Sharks and Maple Leafs.
That shouldn’t be particularly surprising. Since entering the NHL in 2017, Vegas has quickly developed rivalries with teams across the league.
The Eastern Conference has plenty of hatred too
The rivalry lists aren’t limited to Canadian teams or traditional Original Six matchups.
Devils fans listed the Rangers, Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.
Islanders fans put the Rangers first, followed by Toronto and Carolina.
Rangers fans selected New Jersey as their top hated team, followed by the Islanders and Penguins.
And Penguins fans put Vegas first, followed by the Rangers and Washington Capitals.
So who do you hate?
That’s the real question.
The survey results show that every fanbase has its own list of teams it would love to see lose — but rivalries can be extremely personal.
Maybe it’s a team that eliminated your club from the playoffs.
Maybe it’s a division rival.
Or maybe there’s just something about that team that you can’t stand.
Which NHL team do you hate the most?
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