Columbus Blue Jackets Top Three Most Hated Enemies
#1 – Pittsburgh Penguins
As expected, the flightless birds of the NHL are topping the list.
The two teams’ relationship has turned into pure hatred over the last half decade. Similarly to the Red Wings hatred, some of it is due to the close proximity to each other. Pittsburgh is just three hours away from Ohio’s capital so it’s common to see the fans travel to the opposing team’s arena for games.
Related Story: Blue Jackets vs. Penguins: The Rivalry
Pittsburgh is also a massive sports rival city for Ohio teams. Both the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals hate the Pittsburgh Steelers due to being divisional foes, while the Cincinnati Reds share a division with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In addition, Jackets’ alternate captain Brandon Dubinsky has long been a Penguins foe. When he played for the New York Rangers, Dubinsky was tasked with playing across Sidney Crosby. He did so with a very aggressive attitude, something he continued to do when he got traded to the Blue Jackets.
John Tortorella also doesn’t like the Penguins. After losing a game without Dubinsky, who had been rightfully suspended for a cross-check to Crosby’s neck, Torts voiced his displeasure of the team.
On top of all of this, the two teams have met in the playoffs twice. The Jackets have only made the postseason three times so two series is a lot, especially when you lose both.
Fortunately, the Jackets seem to be trending upward, and they will have to continue improving to catch up to the Pens. Coming off a second-straight Stanley Cup, Pittsburgh is definitely riding high. That intensifies the hatred.
Neither side wants each other to do well, and that’s the beauty of it.