Divisional matchups take on extra meaning late in the NHL season.
The league’s playoff format ensures division foes match up in the early rounds of the postseason, which builds rivalries at the expense of a balanced bracket. That means teams can use this time of year to send messages even if they can’t move up in the standings.
“When you play division opponents at the end of the season, like we’re doing right now, it does have a little bit of added intensity,” Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith said. “You never know, but you could play that team somewhere down the line in the playoffs.