Carolina Hurricanes: An Intense Rivalry Brewing with the Capitals

These two teams have had a very length history between one another, being division foes since the introduction of the Southeast Division in the 1998-99 NHL season. Since the 2000’s the Canes have gone 43-62-6 in 111 meetings with Washington. Although the Hurricanes teams of old weren’t as deep as their current line up, when you exclude the six ties, these numbers clearly illustrate the dominance the Caps have had, with them winning 60% of the time.

In present day, the Carolina Hurricanes now boast a team that is deeper from top to bottom. Aside from their power play, there doesn’t seem to be any real glaring weakness on paper. Entering last season, the Capitals were coming off their first Stanley Cup victory, looking to defend their title while the Hurricanes continued to be a question mark.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the Capitals found themselves in a familiar spot at the top of the Metro division standings and the Hurricanes surprised the league, finally ending their decade long playoff drought.

Going into the first round, not many people were giving the Hurricanes much of a chance against the reigning champs. Around the league, several analysts were suggesting the series could end as early as four games, with the Caps winning in a sweep. Based on the first two games in Washington, it looked like this was the direction the series was heading.

But, as the old saying goes, “you’re never out of a series until you loose at home,” something the Canes had yet to do.

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Games three and four at PNC Arena proved to be a different story. With the full support from their fans in a packed arena, the Hurricanes were able to even the series at two games a piece. Getting shut out 6-0 in game five, the Canes knew they’d have to win back to back elimination games to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive and advance.

And advance they did, winning a thrilling double overtime game seven thanks to a Brock McGinn tip in goal, something Caps fans and commentators clearly aren’t over.

Ousting the defending champs in round one is something no one saw coming and, like most playoff series in recent memory, we’re still left with some drama and storylines carrying over into this upcoming season. From the drop of the puck in game one, it was clear Canes rookie Andrei Svechnikov and fellow countryman, Alexander Ovechkin, weren’t going to make life easy for one another.

The two Russian wingers went back and forth every shift, with tension finally boiling over in game three when the two were involved in an altercation. An altercation that unfortunately left Andre out of the line up for a handful of games.

Although “Ovi” didn’t travel to Raleigh for the final preseason game just this past weekend, it is clear that the two will continue to elevate their games when they’re matched up against one another as “Svech” enters his sophomore season.

Another storyline from the playoffs is Warren Foegele’s hit on T.J. Oshie in game four. Breaking his collarbone on the play, it is clear that both Oshie and the rest of the Capitals players are not over what transpired between the two. There are rumors currently circulating that Oshie is looking to possibly retaliate against the hit as soon as the two team’s first regular season meeting.

Everyone’s favorite Tom Wilson, also wanted a piece of Foegele, earning himself a roughing penalty late in Sunday’s preseason match. This rough stuff is present in almost every rivalry in NHL since emotions are running high. It is safe to say that it is almost a guarantee that this will continue every time these two division foes meet for the foreseeable future.

If these two storylines weren’t exciting enough, the preseason continued to give us a taste of what’s to come. Looking to make an impression on the coaching staff, Roland McKeown found himself involved in an altercation with Caps forward Garnet Hathaway. Standing up for teammate Brian Gibbons, McKeown earned some respect within the locker room.

Wilson was also in midseason form. At one point involved in a shouting match with the whole Hurricanes’ bench, Wilson earned himself a two minute unsportsmanlike conduct in addition to a ten minute misconduct penalty.

Post game, he claimed that head coach Rod Brind’amour was the reason he lost his cool stating in an interview, ““I was pretty calm until some words came from their bench and it wasn’t the players so we’ll leave it at that. He’s clearly an emotional guy but I don’t think, you ask anyone around the league, coaches chirping players is appropriate.”

Only the players on the bench truly know what actually transpired, but either way you can tell these two teams have a strong detest towards one another. Shortly after Wilson’s penalties, the second period would conclude. Here players and coach normally just uneventfully depart to their respected locker rooms, but here the coaching staffs had other plans.

Taking shots at one another, the two coaching staffs exchanged words before finally departing to the locker rooms.

All things considered, it appears as if the Hurricanes and Capitals have developed a massive rivalry in a short period of time. Yes it has always been there between the two division foes, but now that these two teams are considered by many experts to be battling for the Metropolitan division title this season, it’s stronger than ever.

These types of games always seem to have playoff like atmospheres no matter where they are in the standings. This rivalry should give fans something to  be excited about each time these two team’s face off.

Question for CC Readers: Who do you think is the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest rival?