As a die-hard Washington Capitals fan, emotions run deep when it comes to the rest of the NHL. From the beloved Caps sitting at the top to bitter divisional rivals that spark instant disdain, this ranking captures the complex feelings every fan experiences. Expect the Pittsburgh Penguins to land near the bottom—years of playoff battles have cemented that rivalry. Meanwhile, teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and various Original Six franchises each evoke their own unique reactions based on playoff history, memorable games, and geographic proximity. Whether it's respect for worthy opponents, indifference toward distant Western Conference teams, or pure hatred for Metro Division foes, every NHL franchise gets sorted by one Caps fan's honest emotional response.
