Carl Hagelin celebrates his goal with teammates during the Rangers’ 4-1 win in Game 1 over the Flyers.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

For Brad Richards, it couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. A year removed from being benched, he erupted for a goal and two assists highlighting a Rangers’ 4-1 win over the Flyers to take Game 1 of the first round series at MSG. Richards scored the first of two power play goals less than a minute apart to break a 1-1 tie with 11:38 left in regulation.

The difference was discipline. For most of the night, the Flyers stayed out of the penalty box only giving the Rangers one power play early on. That all changed when Jason Akeson came across the ice to deliver a hit and hi-sticked Carl Hagelin drawing blood. It handed them a double-minor. The Rangers took full advantage scoring on both ends. Both Richards and Derek Stepan scored their first goals of the postseason. Hagelin added an insurance marker.

Meeting for the first time in 17 years, nothing separated the Flyers and Rangers for two periods. Greeted by loud cheers from the crowd, the Rangers came out early and established puck possession thanks to a strong cycle from the top unit of Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Not surprisingly, it was that line that produced their first goal.

It didn’t come until former Islander Andrew MacDonald got Philadelphia on the board first. Off a clean take out by Scott Hartnell on Ryan McDonagh, he got the puck to MacDonald, whose left point shot deflected off Martin St. Louis past Henrik Lundqvist at 7:28. Oddly enough, they scored on their first shot.

Despite giving up the series’ opening tally, the Rangers continued to control the action. Off sustained pressure from the top unit, Zuccarello struck back at 10:53. A Marc Staal keep at the point allowed Pouliot to come out with the puck from behind the net and pass for Zuccarello, whose initial shot was stopped by Ray Emery. But he hustled to the net and backhanded home the rebound leading to familiar chants of “Zuke,” from MSG. After tying it, the Rangers continued to generate chances with Emery stopping Rick Nash. He had a good period also denying Brian Boyle twice on a stuff attempt.

There were plenty of hits on both sides with each side finishing checks. That theme continued in a tightly contested second. Playing more cautiously, the Flyers were able to limit the Rangers’ chances. After outshooting their old Patrick rival 14-6, it was more even with shots 9-8 in favor of the home side. While Emery held up at his end, Lundqvist stayed focused coming up with timely stops including a nice kick out on a tricky Hartnell opportunity. A hustling Staal just got enough of Wayne Simmonds to deny a rebound.

Following a scoreless second, McDonagh took a hi-sticking minor 46 seconds into the third. A dangerous power play unit, the Flyers were unable to register a shot. Aggressive Rangers penalty killers gave them little set up time and space. In particular, Staal stood out with some strong defensive work alongside Dan Girardi. A great stick check by Stepan and steal helped kill the rest of the penalty. He and Hagelin did a great job.

For the first seven minutes of the period, there was only one shot with Emery making a routine save. On the next shift following a stoppage, Akeson was in on a Flyer cycle getting a shot on Lundqvist. But near the end of it, he went for a take out on Hagelin but his stick came up high. When it produced blood, suddenly the Rangers had the opportunity they needed.

With Alain Vigneault starting the first unit, they delivered thanks to some great playmaking. A smart read by Stepan pushed the puck down low for Nash, who centered for a St. Louis shot that caromed off a Flyer skate right to Richards, who buried it at 8:22 putting the Rangers up 2-1. After a short shift for the second unit, Vigneault sensed something with his top one and sent them back out. It worked immediately. More patience and passing resulted in a sweet finish for Stepan. McDonagh sent a pass across to St. Louis who went diagonal to Richards opening up a seam where he found an isolated Stepan, who fired into an open side.

Once they fell behind by two, the Flyers came unglued taking three minors in the last eight minutes. That included a frustration slash from Claude Giroux, who was held without a shot. During the season series, he was held to just two assists. His line was on for their only goal but the trio of Giroux, Hartnell and Voracek combined for two shots. Not that the Rangers minded.

Following a power play that threatened, Jesper Fast made a good read in the neutral zone. Finding Richards at the Flyers blueline, the Rangers’ alternate captain fired a shot that Emery leaked out to a cutting Hagelin, who finished off his first for the final margin with 4:08 remaining. A nice reward for a player who hustled all night. For Fast, it was his first NHL point. Similar to Chris Kreider in 2012, it came in the playoffs. That will keep him in the lineup.

As usual, the Flyers tried to goon it up post whistle. First, Zac Rinaldo was sent off for a needless slash. Then, Brayden Schenn showed frustration with a cross-check that came with under a minute left. That’s what they do. The Rangers were smart. They went back but without doing anything foolish. One of my favorite moments was seeing Girardi shove Hartnell at the conclusion of the second. It sent a message that they won’t back down.

BONY Game 1 Stars Of The Game:

3rd Star-Marc Staal, NYR (assist, 4 blocks, superb defensively, +1 in 25 shifts-19:04)

2nd Star-Martin St. Louis, NYR (2 assists, had shots blocked but key playmaking on display, -1 in 27 shifts-19:18)

1st Star-Brad Richards, NYR (1-2-3 incl. game-winning PPG at 8:22 of 3rd, 6 SOG, +1 in 20 shifts-19:03)