The Red Wings will make their first of two visits to HP Pavilion tonight, leading us to post a simple Twitter poll question on Wednesdayis Detroit the Sharks top rival right now?
The answers were mixed, of course. Many agree that the recent playoff battles between the two clubs does in fact make the Red Wings the most hated team in the Bay Area, but many consider the Ducks and Kings the biggest rival based on proximity.
Joe Thornton agrees with, well, both responses when asked if the Wings are the Sharks' biggest rival club.
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I think so yeah. Probably, them, Anaheim and L.A, said the captain.
Over the years I think both teams have looked at each other as a benchmark. They try to play good against us, and we try to play good against them. Thats the case when two good teams go at it. They work hard, they compete, and they have great players.
Below is a sampling of some of your responses.
@BleedingTeal
A rival yes, but probably not top. Kings & Ducks would be top rival. Wings are more of a measuring stick of how we are playing.
San Jose Sharks
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@Puckguy14
oh absolutely. Playoff history, classic games, best against best.
@steveckl
Even though we've met the Red Wings few times in POs and have history, I still hate the Ducks most. Kings are in running too.
@Mike_landis
They are our measuring stick, but they are so good and so classy I can't hate them enough for them to be my top rival. I HATE ANA
@JeffBlay
Detroit could definitely be mentioned in the same breath as LAAnaheim for top Sharks rival; intense playoff battles, close games.
@PatfaceCatface
Wings or Ducks for me. I give the edge to the Wings based on the incredible playoff history between the two.
@chrissampang
Man. I hate to be the contrarian..but I think the Wings rivalry has "frequency" but Dallas way more intense at its peak
@JoeGSW
Ducks are real rivals. To put it simply, Nor-Cal hates So-Cal.
@HammySJS
I'd consider them rivals-in-spirit but their relevance as a powerhouse is debatable now. That's not to say they're not great tho!
@jonplee
bc we've beat them 2 straight yrs, they've lost their mystique. I think ChiVan are our top rivals now. LA too in the yrs to come.
@TheDodgerhater
Gotta be Anaheim. They are dirtier and the games are more physical. Plus they're a division rival. They make me sick.
@mizzzurp
Ducks. More wings fans show up to the games at HP but there is an immense hatred for them amongst the patrons when they're in town
@nuggetsauce
Wings are definitely the Sharks real NHL rivalry. DucksKings see a lot of games, but intensity of SharksWings is unmatched.
@Chadd Maia
Top rivals will always be one of the SoCal teams due to amount of times seen, but Detroit games are always the most intense