5 most compelling rivalry games of the NHL home openers

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan (15) handles the puck while Washington Capitals Defenseman John Carlson (74) defends during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Eastern Conference Final. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 07: Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray (30) during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Conference Finals. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Capitals vs. Penguins – Oct. 4, 2018

For Capitals fans, the date to look forward to is Oct. 3, since that’s when they get to raise the Stanley Cup banner in their home opener against the Boston Bruins. But less than 24 hours after that, they have to travel to Pittsburgh to entertain the Penguins in their home opener. It’ll be the first game they play since Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the overtime winner to send his team to the Eastern Conference Final, so for the Capitals, it’ll feel like returning to the scene of the crime.

As far as rivalries in the NHL go, this one is unmatched. It started to feel a bit one-sided when the Penguins took all the playoff meetings between the two, but the Capitals getting one over them last season has breathed new life into this matchup. The fact that the Penguins will get a shot at revenge right away instead of having to stew over it for months should make this easily the most anticipated opening game on the schedule.

It felt like nothing could ruin Capitals fans’ mood after winning their first ever Stanley Cup, but Barry Trotz’s shocking resignation came close. The fans have no ill will towards Trotz — why would they? He won a Cup for them and left on a high note, George Costanza style. However, Ted Leonsis should’ve made a much greater effort to retain him than giving him a $300,000 raise on what was already a modest contract.

Penguins fans should hope that discord will come back to bite the Capitals by the start of next season. While they would never admit it, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champions did soften the blow of their playoff exit. It doesn’t diminish the extraordinary talent they have on hand, and the NHL should make a concerted effort towards making sure these two teams meet later than the second round.

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The Penguins may be disappointed their home opener won’t come with a Cup raising banner this time, but a shot at revenge against their biggest rivals isn’t that much worse.

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