“We want to be aggressive. We want to play with urgency and intensity,” Stevens said. “But if we’re undisciplined, we’re just neutralizing ourselves.”

For the Penguins, that means finding a way to slow Pittsburgh native R.J. Umberger, who had eight goals in the second round against Montreal and six during the season against them.

For the Flyers, that means somehow containing the multiple waves of Penguins scorers that will emerge from the Malkin and Crosby lines to challenge goalie Martin Biron.

“We know they will target guys like Crosby and Malkin and Hossa and (Petr) Sykora, but that’s fine,” Therrien said. “That’s the playoffs. Ottawa tried to do it. The Rangers tried to do it.”

That they’re facing each other to play for the Stanley Cup is something new. That each has figured in the other winning Cups is not.

In 1969, the Penguins passed on defenseman Bobby Clarke in the draft at No. 15 and the Flyers grabbed the future Hall of Famer at No. 17. In 1990, the Flyers picked Mike Ricci at No. 3, allowing Jagr to fall to Pittsburgh at No. 5. The Penguins won the Cup for the first time 11 months later, then captured it again a season later after the Flyers dealt them forward Rick Tocchet and defenseman Kjell Samuelsson.

Maybe there is some brotherly love in this rivalry after all. Then again, maybe not.

During the Penguins’ 10-7 win in Game 5 of the 1989 conference semifinals, angry Flyers goalie Ron Hextall chased forward Rob Brown across the ice after Brown’s goal made it 9-2. Equally embarrassed and incensed, the Flyers won the next two games and the series.

Crosby’s introduction to the rivalry came by the blunt end of Flyers defenseman Darian Hatcher’s stick in November 2005, leaving Crosby with some chipped teeth, a bloody mouth and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for protesting the lack of a penalty. No doubt that’s one reason he has 37 points in 20 career games against them.

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Now, there could be seven Flyers-Penguins games over two weeks in what truly will be a heated state of hockey.

“You know, why not beat each other up a little bit to get on to the next round?” Malone said, laughing.

Gloves and visors for the fans are optional.

“They’re notorious for being physical and being on the edge of dirty, and that’s the way you have to play in the playoffs,” Penguins defenseman Hal Gill said. “But you have to toe that line and be smart. That’s what the challenge is going to be.”

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