The NHL has been around for more than a century, and six teams, dubbed The Original Six, have all celebrated a centennial season at one point or another this century. Considering these teams have won many Stanley Cups and produced some of the greatest lineups of all time, it’s no surprise that fan bases across the globe admire and honor their respective histories. Although the Vegas Golden Knights are only entering their 10th season in 2026-27, they have built up some intriguing rivalries with some of these Original Six clubs, and today, we rank them from best to worst.
Ranking the Golden Knights' rivalries against the Original Six
6. Detroit Red Wings
Record: 8-6-1 GF: 46 GA: 43
Twenty years old, the Golden Knights could have had an epic rivalry with the Detroit Red Wings, who were once the kings of the Western Conference. But in 2013, they moved over to the Eastern Conference, and now the two teams rarely see each other. Moreover, only seven players have played for both teams, including David Perron, Tomas Nosek, and Tomas Tatar, which hasn’t sown enough seeds to build a rivalry.
5. Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 17-3-4 GF: 90 GA: 63
Because the Chicago Blackhawks have been rebuilding for most of the decade, they haven’t been much of a threat to the Golden Knights. Yet, these two clubs will be forever linked through Marc-Andre Fleury. Immediately following his Vezina Trophy win in 2020-21, he left Vegas via a trade for the Windy City. On his return to The Fortress, he helped the Blackhawks to a 2-1 win, one of the few times in history that the Golden Knights have lost to the Original Six team.
4. New York Rangers
Record: 10-6-0 GF: 46 GA: 43
Before this offseason, there really wasn't much of a rivalry between Vegas and the New York Rangers. However, things just got turned up a notch when the Original Six team traded for and extended former 37-goal scorer Pavel Dorofeyev. Although two players, Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson, have scored more than 30 goals in a single season twice, Dorofeyev is the only one to score more than 35 in a season, doing it back-to-back in 2025 and 2026. Now on the Blurshirts, he's wearing enemy colors, and Golden Knights fans won't want to see him score that much anymore.
3. Boston Bruins
Record: 7-8-1 GF: 46 GA: 47
The Boston Bruins are the only Original Six franchise with a winning record against the Golden Knights. However, that’s not the angle that makes Boston one of Vegas’ top rivals; instead, it’s the two teams' connection to former head coach Bruce Cassidy. After seven seasons behind the Bruins bench, including losing the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, the club fired him, giving the Golden Knights a chance to hire him for the 2022-23 season. Less than a year later, he guided the organization to their only championship. Meanwhile, Boston would produce the greatest statistical campaign in NHL history with 65 wins and 135 points with Jim Montgomery, only to bow out in the first round.
2. Montreal Canadiens
Record: 8-4-4 regular season / 2-4 playoffs GF: 61 GA: 55
As of 2026, the only Original Six franchise the Golden Knights have faced in the Stanley Cup playoffs is the Montreal Canadiens, who played in the North Division and drew Vegas in the “NHL Semi-Finals” back in 2021. In a wild cross-over series, because of COVID realignment, Montreal ended up winning in six games against their former captain Max Pacioretty, punching their ticket to the Final. Ultimately, they not only robbed the Golden Knights of their second trip to the championship series in three seasons, but it also marked the last time Fleury would play with the club.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 8-5-3 GF: 54 GA: 52
Many would argue that the Canadiens deserve the top spot, especially with a playoff victory over Vegas. But as soon as Mitch Marner arrived in Vegas, his deal changed the dynamic between the Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs. During his first season with Vegas, he not only helped his new team win the Pacific Division, but he was also a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the team won it all. Meanwhile, Toronto stumbled to the bottom of the standings and won the NHL Draft Lottery, as one of their former Core Four players came within two games of winning a Stanley Cup, something that’s eluded The Original Six club since 1967.
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