Section 215
Fansided

Flyers: Debating the franchise’s top rivalries

By Kevin Lagowski

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 23: The Philadelphia Flyers head out for the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 23: The Philadelphia Flyers head out for the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 01: Karl Alzner #27 of the Washington Capitals runs into Braydon Coburn #5 and Kimmo Timonen #44 of the Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Washington Capitals

The case for: I’ll admit right away that this rivalry doesn’t have the strongest case, but the first round playoff series between these teams in 2008 really ignited things. The Flyers won that on the strength of a Game 7 overtime goal, something the Caps had done against them way back in 1988. The clashes with Alexander Ovechkin over the last 15 years have been a thrill to watch as well, making for some of the most exciting regular season action that the Flyers have played over that time. It’s just a short trip from Philly to DC, ensuring that Flyers fans always represent well in enemy territory when these teams meet, which is a point in favor of this rivalry.

The case against: Theoretically, the 2016 playoff series between these two teams should have gone in the “case for” section, but Steve Mason completely ruined any chance of enjoyment from that one. Another thing this has going against it is the whole Ovechkin vs. Crosby mentality that’s been so prevalent over the years, leading the Capitals and their fans to view the Penguins as their chief rivals. It’s pretty clear that the Flyers would be a distant second in any rivalry assessment as far as Washington is concerned.

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