Flyers vs Rangers, Game 58: Notes, Lineups, and How to Watch
Playing the first set of a back-to-back this weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers will welcome in the division-leading New York Rangers.
This is the second of four meetings between the two teams. They met three months ago. Mika Zibanejad scored twice in a 3-1 win for the Rangers on Nov. 24. New York scored two goals in the first 1:53 of the game, with Zibanejad's first come coming 45 seconds in. Sean Couturier scored the only goal for the Flyers late in the second period.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers cannot afford to fall into a quick hole against the Rangers again. New York has had a tremendous season and won't give up a lead that easily. Conversely, they can also storm back from a multi-goal deficit. They did that against the Islanders at the Stadium Series, erasing 4-1 and 5-3 deficits. So, while getting out to a lead is crucial, the Flyers also must find a way to stop the Rangers' potent offense.
There is good news for Philadelphia, as Tyson Foerster is expected to return to the lineup. He has missed the last four games after blocking a shot off his right foot against the Kraken. He is someone that John Tortorella has been able to use all over the lineup. Foerster had three goals in his last three games, so it's possible the offense was beginning to come back around before his injury. In other potential injury news, Travis Konecny left practice on Friday early after taking contact from Marc Staal during a drill. There was no update on his status, but it didn't seem to be anything serious.
The Flyers have won five of their last seven games. This back-to-back against the Rangers and Penguins will help set the tone in the final two months. It's not a make-or-break for Philadelphia. But showing they can give their best against the best and not fall to those below them will go a long way.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Cam Atkinson
Joel Farabee - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny
Noah Cates - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway
Nic Deslauriers - Scott Laughton - Tyson Foerster
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Sean Walker
Egor Zamula - Jamie Drysdale
Sam Ersson
New York Rangers
Everything that could go right for the Rangers right now is going right. Dating back to before the All-Star break, the Rangers have won nine in a row. They've created a six-point gap between them and the Hurricanes. And they are 12 points ahead of the Flyers. Unless they suddenly collapse, the Rangers should be the top team in the Metro at the end of the season.
Artemi Panarin has been a big reason for that. The Russian forward leads the Rangers in goals (32) and points (78). A strong finish could see him easily top the 90-point mark for the fourth time in his career. His next goal will set a career-high that he got in his first season with New York back in 2019-20. While he's one to look out for, the Flyers must find a way to stop Zibanejad. He has 18 goals and 35 points in 42 career games against Philadelphia. His goal-scoring is down a bit this season, but he has been a Flyer killer in his career.
Igor Shesterkin has been the man in the net, although Jonathan Quick has had quite the resurgence in New York. Shesterkin's numbers are currently the worst he has put up in his career, and they aren't even that bad. He has a 2.74 GAA and a .907 SV%. For him, those numbers aren't good. Shesterkin has won five of his last six games when facing Philadelphia and hardly gives up more than two goals.
Rangers Projected Lineup
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Jimmy Vesey
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle - Jonny Brodzinski - Kaapo Kakko
Adam Edstrom - Barclay Goodrow - Matt Rempe
K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
Erik Gustafsson - Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
When, Where, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 3:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: FuboTV
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