VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Alain Vigneault of the Philadelphia Flyers attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers have historically been considered major rivals. The geographic clash between two of the most prominent American sports markets has played into some of the best moments in the history of both franchises.
Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault coached the Rangers from 2013-18. The hiring of a retread coach is nothing new in this rivalry, as former Flyers bench boss Mike Keenan coached the Blue Shirts to their only Stanley Cup of the NHL expansion era in 1994.