Fansided

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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4. Lightning vs. Bruins

Tampa Bay vs. Boston is a rivalry that never received enough attention outside of the two fanbases, but now both teams are loaded with talent and full of contempt for the other, and it should be exciting to watch them face off again with the rivalry ready to boil over after their latest playoff series.

The Lightning and Bruins have always been rivals, but it’s never really been considered to be a very good one compared to some of the other rivalries in the NHL. That should definitely change this year. These two will be going at it for a long time now with the way they’ve built themselves for the future, and the bitterness between them will not be going away anytime soon.

During the playoffs last year, these two got nasty, especially Brad Marchand. The NHL had to step in and ban his bizarre licking spree from last years playoffs after he did it again to Ryan Callahan, to the disgust of everybody around the league. The nastiness began even before in the regular season before the playoffs, a prime example being Cedric Paquette’s boarding of Torey Krug all the way back in November. This has always been a rivalry, but only now that both teams are powerhouses will it get any attention.

Boston took all but one regular season game, but Tampa Bay ran away with the playoff series after Game 1 and Boston couldn’t find any offense. Boston will desperately looking to wash that bitter end of their season away. The Lightning and Bruins will face off once more on December 6 in Tampa Bay, February 28 in Boston, March 25 in Tampa again, and finally they’ll meet for the regular season finale on April 6 in Boston.

This is a really promising rivalry that’s been brewing under the surface for a long time now that’s finally coming into the spotlight. It should be a treat to watch them go at it again with the Atlantic division likely on the line again.

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