The Best Rivalry in the new NHL

The numbers are indisputable, despite the season being only a week old: Toronto Maple Leafs versus Ottawa Senators games are the best in the league. How could this be discerned so soon, and how could the best rivlary even be defined, you ask? Two games played. Several lead changes each game. Late third period comebacks to tie. End to end overtime. Shootouts. That should suffice to quell any doubters as to the legitimacy of my claim.

No other so-called rivalry has been as closely contested, and that's what makes a rivlary tick; the chance that either team could be the day's victor. Irregardlessible if ties are still a vital and relevant part of hockey, the skin-of-my-teeth parity between the teams thus far is undeniable. In this observer's opinion, neither team played for a tie in each tilt, but a tie is what each team deserved, further raising the temperature of said penultimate rivalry.

(Take note Bettman & Co., true hockey fans like ties. And we're getting sick and tired of you catering to the fans you don't have. And another thing, stop with the 'my NHL' ads every 0.5 second. I've got a better idea, give us loyal and insulted fans a check, cash, moola, greenbacks, something to repay us for the lockout. Because Crouching Tiger drum beats and sultry, innuendo-laden whispers ain't cuttin' it.)

Of course, my favor lies on the losing side of both games so far, but I find solace in the fact these are battles lost without the Maple Leafs' greatest warrior. If all else remains equal, when Mats re-enters the equation he shall woo significant favor from the hockey gods to shift the balance of power back to the Maple Leafs.

But as it stands, the Maple Leafs are the provincial underdogs; a role welcome, yet unfamiliar.

UPDATE: hockeydirt agrees