Sailing Across the Atlantic (Division)

The reception towards Northeast Division teams may be a bit lukewarm here in CapsLand, but I guarantee emotions boil a little hotter when it comes to those friendly foes, the Atlantic Division:

• New York Islanders - Although the heated battles of the 80s and 90s have given way to a much less heated rivalry, the hatred of the Islanders will probably never fully go away. From the Easter Epic to the Hunter-Turgeon incident to the sudden flood of former Caps to the Isles, there's something about the blue and orange that elicits bile among the Caps faithful.

• New York Rangers - The Caps played their very first game in franchise history against the Rags and its been downhill ever since. Year after year we're subjected to not only the Rangers but their hordes of fans who fill the VC, and year after year we're treated to some great battles. The Caps and Rangers have only met 4 times in the playoffs and have split those series, but there is an inherent animosity that even the newest players can feel. And as if the drunken fans and natural hatred weren't enough, they have Jagr. That's the nail in the coffin for even the nicest teams.

• New Jersey Devils - Is it just that Martin Brodeur has so easily manhandled this team over the years that makes us hate them? Or is it the fact that they put us to sleep whenever they roll into town? Take your pick, but there is no sympathy for these Devils. I honestly don't even remember a time before Marty came along, he's been so dominant. 30-11-5 with 6 shutouts. Are you freaking kidding me? Ugh. And don't even get me started on Visorgate.

• Philadelphia Flyers - I hardly know where to start with the Flyers. It's just all bad. Broadstreet bullies. Ugly orange and black jerseys. Ron Hextall. Bobby Clarke. Philly fans. Years and years of suffering through home games with so much orange you think you're in a tanning salon. It's what makes that Dale Hunter OT goal so sweet; it's what makes the first season series sweep by the Caps so sweet; and it's what made us shake our heads in pity while covering up giddy smirks of joy as we watched them wallowing at the bottom of the standings.

• Pittsburgh Penguins - Oh, you knew I had to leave the best for last. I almost feel like I should dedicate an entire post just to my disdain for...oh wait. I do that all the time. It's hard to boil down exactly what it is about this team that just gets under my skin and turns my stomach and makes me want to drink heavily and gives me the urge to hurl things across the room. How do you sum up years of heartache, of annoyance, of anger, of teeth-gritting, fist-clenching, stomach-churning hatred? Like the Flyers, there are oh so many parts to the equation. So I made a list.

Lemieux. Jagr. Lemieux and Jagr. Mullets. Crosby. Mullets. Playoffs. Nedved. Mullets. Invading Penguins fans. Invading drunk Penguins fans. Invading drunk Penguins fans in Steelers gear. Pee-pads. Yellow and black. Playoffs. Crosby. Mullets. Jagr.

...I don't think I need to go on, although it's hardly a comprehensive list. Bottom line? BOOOOO. This is a rivalry that is in no danger of dying anytime soon, at least as long as I have the ability to type and yell and hurl things across the room.

Next up...our beloved Southeast Division.