Wednesday night I chose to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins battle the Boston Bruins.
I am positive there was no comparison in ratings as it went up against a World Series champion being crowned, but, nevertheless, those of you who watched the game were treated to the best game this year. High emotions on the ice, crowd amped and a playoff vibe were all contributors to what was a fantastic game.
Penguins fans and hockey fans tuned in knowing the caliber of game they were going to watch.
But who tuned in for the hype of the “rivalry” that NBC Sports was pushing?
Since Wednesday of last week the commercial of Bergeron and Geno coming at each other was played frequently during, what seemed like, every break during the Devils-Lightning game Tuesday night. After that game was a half hour documentary of Ulf Samuelsson hating and Mike Millbury still fussing over something that happened 22 years ago. NBC pushed the Pens-Bruins as one of NHL’s fiercest rivalries. Yeah, it was all for ratings, but it really didn’t fool any of the Pittsburghers did it?
To call Boston, or at least portray Boston as a top rival with Pittsburgh, I feel, is a little over the top. But in a list of Penguins rivals, where would you rank Boston?
Personally, they wouldn’t make the top five for me.
First thing, obviously, there’s no comparison to Pens-Flyers. Pre, regular, and post season can get dicey.
Next, I feel would arguably be Washington. The insane post season history is one thing, but now with the “Great 8” leading the way, the constant comparison between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin will be apparent until they retire.
Following the Caps, you could easily put in division teams: the Rangers or even the Isles.
Now that the Isles have gotten successful with drafting players, the two teams are seeming to really pick up a hatred for one another.
Outside the division, the first team I can think of would be Detroit. Two talented teams, with two cup finals consecutively, the Hossa situation and the games being so intense. I feel outside the Metropolitan, they are probably tops.
Then I think Boston would come in. Again, not in the top five.
NBC’s Rivalry Night really hyped up this rivalry. NBC starts with Boston “calling” the black and gold color scheme when the Pens went from powder blue to black and gold. This, I hoped, was exaggerated at first. But when watching the documentary Tuesday night, they, as in Bruins General Manager at the time Harry Sinden, referred to it as “infringement”, folks. Look up NHL’s Pittsburgh’s Pirates Sinden. Boston was legitimately offended that we “took their colors”…. Really?
The documentary then went on to more legitimate arguments in regards to the Pens getting better, like with the drafting of Mr. Mario. That brought the teams to the conference finals of ’91, where the Samuelsson/Neely hit occurred. If you’re unfamiliar with this, I will make it short. Samuelsson laid a knee-on-knee hit on Boston’s Cam Neely. Lange stated in the television special that it wasn’t on purpose while Borquey felt it was dirty. It really is a matter of opinion.
It then went to 1992’s spanking of Boston in a conference finals repeat, and wrapped up with the recent events: the Cooke Savard hit, the real life David and Golaith battles (Sid v Chara) and last year’s series, where the Pens were swept by Boston. A 4-0 series win looks one-sided, but this series, with the exception of game 2, really could have gone either way.
I am not down playing in regards to what the Penguins and Bruins have going. With all the new situations, from the talent on both ends, the respect they have for one another, Iginla swapping jerseys (Hossa 2.0 anyone?) and the recent success of the two franchises, Pittsburgh-Boston is a great match. It is, a majority of the time, a fantastic game. But I have to disagree with the “rivalry” hype it received. I am sure it will stay a rivalry per say, but to reflect top honors, I beg to differ.
November 13th, it is Philly-Pittsburgh on another nationally televised “rivalry night”. With the hype Boston-Pittsburgh got, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us, NBC.
PHOTO CREDIT: shesgamesports.com
