Flyers vs. Rangers Game Preview
The Flyers travel to New York to take on the Rangers in a must-win rivalry game before the All-Star break.
Who: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
Where: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York
When: 8:00 PM
Where to watch: NBC Sports Network
Winless against the Rangers
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The Flyers have played the Rangers twice this season, and have lost both times. Both games were in Philly, so now the Orange and Black will have to travel to enemy territory to try and get a win. They will play New York one more time during the final week of the season in early April.
Mason turning the corner?
Obviously, Sunday’s overtime win against the Islanders was huge. Not only did it get the Flyers to 52 points, but it was just Steve Mason’s second win since Dec. 21. Mason was sharp against the Isles, and it would be surprising if he was not in net on Wednesday.
Who to watch on the Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
Of course, King Henrik is catching fire just in time when the Flyers come to town. In his last three starts, he has given up just four goals. On Monday night against the Kings, Lundqvist stopped 36 shots, and gave up just two goals.
Lundqvist has been having one of the worst seasons of his career, but he has been bailed out by the Rangers prolific offense often. His recent hot streak suggests it could be hard for the Flyers to score, but it will be interesting to see which version of Henrik will show up on Wednesday night.
Who to watch on the Flyers: Wayne Simmonds
The “Wayne train” got back in the point column with a goal and an assist against the Islanders on Sunday. The two-point effort was his first since Dec. 28 against the Blues. Simmonds seems poised to go on a point-streak, and it would not be surprising to see him bust out on national TV against the Rangers.
Although he has 36 points on the year, Simmonds has just one in the two games against New York so far this season. The low total against a rival also suggests that he will be looking to make a big impact on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Flyers 3, Rangers 2
After the win against the Islanders on Sunday, there seemed to be a feeling of relief surrounding the Flyers. It take overtime to get the win, but they stayed persistent and battled against a team that isn’t far behind them in the standings.
Steve Mason should get the start in this one, and I expect him to build on his impressive performance last time out. I also see the captain, Claude Giroux, having a big game. After burying the game-winner Sunday, Giroux seems like he is ready to help lead the Flyers back down the right track.