The Ottawa Senators began their existence going back to the 1992-93 NHL season. Even though the franchise has still yet to hoise a Stanley Cup, the franchise has had memorable moments in franchise history.
Even with having success, rivalries and hatred toward teams will happen. Hatred and tension are always in the air when playing a rival.
Some have wondered who are the Senators' biggest rivals. While the beginning of the franchise had door matted years, the Senators had to fight and earn respect, but also earned hate from teams.
5 biggest rivalries of the Ottawa Senators
Some of the rivalries for the Senators were built from playoff meetings, heartbreaking moments, unforgettable moments, and travel distance too. A lot of things go into a rivalry and hatred being born.
5. New Jersey Devils
Some fans might not realize that the Senators have faced the New Jersey Devils three times in the playoffs, but they have. Each series was tough and had history to it.
The first time the two teams met in the playoffs was in the 1998 first round. The Devils entered the playoffs as the top seed in the East with 24 more points than the eighth seed Senators. The Senators did the unthinkable and upset the Devils in six games. Two of Ottawa's wins were in overtime; three wins were decided by one goal.
2003 would be the next time they played in the playoffs. The two teams met in the Eastern Conference Finals. This time, the Senators were the President's Trophy winner, and the Devils were the second-best team in the East. The Senators trailed 3-1 in the series but ended up forcing a Game 7. One name Senators fans will never get out of their minds is Jeff Friesen when he scored the go-ahead goal with 2:14 remaining in the third period to give the Devils a 3-2 lead.
In 2007, the two met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After splitting the first two games, the Senators won the next three to win the series in five games. The Senators' series-clinching win marked the final played at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
So, the Senators were able to take a piece of hockey history with them by eliminating the Devils in their old barn. The Senators also took a piece of more history with them from the Devils five months later when the Devils' current arena, the Prudential Center, hosted the first NHL game between the Devils and Senators. The Senators spoiled the Devils' first game at Prudential Center by winning the game 4-1.
In the 2019 and 2020 NHL Drafts, both teams were able to draft a superstar player to build their franchise around. The Devils selected Jack Hughes first overall in 2019; the Senators drafted Tim Stutzle third overall in 2020. Although Ottawa is in a seven-year playoff drought, don't be surprised years later if these two players lead their teams to the playoffs frequently with potential playoff meetings between each other.