Rival in Focus: Washington Capitals by Bill Meltzer @BillMeltzer / philadelphiaflyers.com
Somewhat akin to the Philadelphia Flyers' rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia club's clashes with the Washington Capitals were far too lopsided in the Flyers' favor in the early years to be considered much of a rivalry at all. By 1982, however, the Caps began to emerge as a solid NHL club and there started to be more at stake in the standings. By the time the teams started to face off against one another in the playoffs and games between the teams became physical, chippy contests, the teams couldn't stand the sight of one another.