Derek Dorsett and Dominic Moore celebrate a goal on Steve Mason in a Rangers win over the Flyers. They’re looking to repeat that when the teams meet in the first round later this week.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

The battle lines are drawn. The Flyers and Rangers already turned their attention to a classic first round series that lies ahead. The best of seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal begins Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. It’ll be the first time the teams meet in the playoffs since 1997.

Unlike 17 years ago when Eric Lindros led the Flyers past Mark Messier and the Blueshirts to reach the Stanley Cup Final, it’ll be all new faces. Entering the match-up between old Patrick rivals, the two leaders are Claude Giroux for the Flyers and Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers. Both bounced back from poor starts to lead their respective clubs to the postseason. Each is counted on big time. It won’t just be focused on Giroux and Lundqvist. Both teams have strong supporting casts.

The Flyers cast includes Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek, Scott Hartnell, Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier, Vincent Lecavalier, Matt Read, Adam Hall, Steve Downie, Michael Raffl, Zac Rinaldo, Tye McGinn, Mark Streit, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Andrew MacDonald, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann, Erik Gustafsson, Hal Gill and Steve Mason. Assuming Mason is ready Thursday, Ray Emery will back up.

The Rangers cast features Mats Zuccarello, Derek Stepan, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, Derick Brassard, Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, Dominic Moore, Derek Dorsett, Daniel Carcillo, Jesper Fast, Ryan McDonaugh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Anton Stralman, John Moore and Kevin Klein. Figure Raphael Diaz to sit when McDonaugh returns for Game One. Alain Vigneault must decide between Carcillo, Dorsett and Fast. Only two will play. That could change depending on how the series goes. Chris Kreider remains out.

“The truth is that I was thinking about the Flyers from the time I found out [before the game] that we’d be playing them,” Richards admitted to the New York Post’s Larry Brooks. “You want to know who and where, and now we know. I think we’re all pretty excited to turn the page, get this week going and start the second season.”

“Rangers-Flyers in the playoffs; what’s better than that?” Staal quipped. “I really haven’t thought too much about them at this point. I’ll take tonight to unwind and start thinking about them [on Sunday].

“We know what’s ahead of us. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be tight.”

From a Flyer perspective, they are very aware of their recent history at MSG. With the Rangers having the home ice, they must break through. The Rangers have beaten them eight straight at the Garden.

“It’s a good thing we are due in Madison Square Garden,” Voracek told CSNPhilly.com’s Tim Panaccio. “I don’t think we won there in three years. Since I’ve been here, we haven’t won there.

“I haven’t won there in the six years I have been in the NHL. So obviously, we are due to win in there. It’s going to be very exciting series, very emotional, as well.”

“The rivalry between the Flyers and the Rangers is pretty good,” he said. “I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of emotions there. It’s gonna be an exciting series.”

The teams split the season series with each prevailing at home. Of course, anytime you have such a unique rivalry the players will draw off the emotion of the fans. It’s important for the Rangers to set the tone early. Establish momentum and take advantage of MSG. Toss out the home record. It can make a huge difference having Game 7 in our building. Holding serve early would put the pressure squarely on the Flyers. It’s sure to be exciting. Players, coaches and fans have three more days to prepare.