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NHL schedule release 2018: 5 matchups we’re looking forward to most

By Griffin Youngs

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on alongside Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on alongside Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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3. Golden Knights vs. Sharks

At the start of last season, nobody predicted that the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks would be the battle of the two powerhouses in the Pacific Division, but a miraculous expansion season and one playoff series later, a new rivalry has been born.

The entire Pacific Division is full of unpredictability right now, and the only two teams that have any semblance of stability to make the playoffs are Vegas and San Jose. Next season for both teams is critical in pushing for a Stanley Cup, and odds are they’re going to have to make it through the other once again to get there.

The Golden Knights are still in their infancy in just their second season, but the pressure will be on next season to repeat what they pulled off last season but this to finish it off. Odds are they’re going to take a chance at loading up the roster by signing some big free agents or by making some trades in order to meet those expectations. The Sharks are likely going to be no different. Their core is getting older and the window to reasonably compete for a Stanley Cup is closing in on them. They could make this offseason an arms race with the Golden Knights in order to load up for one more run before they have twelve contracts expire after next season.

Even if there wasn’t a playoff series between these two, this is absolutely the matchup to watch out in the Western Conference. The new rivalry born from their second round playoff series is a nice change up from the constant California rivalries with the Sharks, and all signs point to a race to the finish for a top spot in the division next season. The scrappiness from the playoff series should certainly carry over, and they made it clear they don’t like each other.

The Golden Knights and Sharks will meet again first on November 24 in Vegas, back in Vegas again on January 10, in San Jose on March 18 and finally in San Jose on March 30.

The pressure is on for Vegas, and time is running out for San Jose. We’re witnessing the beginning of what could turn into a long and heated rivalry, and it should be can’t miss hockey.

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