Flyers-Rangers: Game 44 Preview

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly staff 

It's no secret by this point that the second half of the Flyers' season will comprise of divisional and intra-conference play. and tonight's no exception. After taking down the Devils out of the bye for their fourth consecutive win, the Orange and Black look to stay on a roll, taking on the New York Rangers in Manhattan for the first time all year (yes, somehow, they haven't played the Rangers by this point).

Times have been tough lately for the Rangers. Not only have they lost seven of their last 10 games, they've dropped three in a row — including a rough 7-2 beatdown against the crosstown rival Islanders on Saturday, a game that saw potential Calder candidate Mathew Barzal produce five points.

The Flyers sit just one point back of the Rangers in the Metro Division, and two points would tie them with the aforementioned Islanders. It may be the first game between both rivals this season, but plenty is already at stake.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P New York Rangers GP G A P
Claude Giroux 43 14 40 54 Mats Zuccarello 43 8 24 32
Jake Voracek 43 8 45 53 J.T. Miller 44 8 19 27
Sean Couturier  43 25 20 45 Pavel Buchnevich 43 11 15 26
Shayne Gostisbehere 39 9 23 32 Mika Zibanejad 35 14 11 25
Wayne Simmonds 43 15 12 27 Michael Grabner 44 19 4 23
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier 36 Mats Zuccarello
Last 5 Games: 7 G, 2 A, 9 P, +3 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 3 A, 3 P, -7
 
He may have taken a week off, but that didn't stop Sean Couturier from turning in an explosive game against the Devils, scoring two goals to give him three straight multi-goal games. 
 
With their backs against the wall, the Rangers will look for their leading scorer, Mats Zuccarello, to keep producing. He recently earned the 200th assist of his career, and is six points away from 300 in his career.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 30 Henrik Lundqvist
17-10-7, 2.75 GAA, .909 SV% 19-11-4, 2.58 GAA, .923 SV%

Though his career numbers against the Rangers aren't optimal, Brian Elliott returns between the pipes for the Flyers. He has just two wins in 10 games, with a 2.99 goals allowed average and a .894 SP. His last start saw him turn away 26 of 29 shots against the Devils.

Henrik Lundqvist will oppose him, making his second consecutive start. He turned away 42 of 46 shots in a 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday, and stopped 16 of 18 shots in mop-up duty in Saturday's loss to the Islanders.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Tyrell Goulbourne, Travis Sanheim, Dale Weise

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl 51 Valtteri Filppula 93 Jake Voracek
40 Jordan Weal 19 Nolan Patrick 17 Wayne Simmonds
20 Taylor Leier 21 Scott Laughton 15 Jori Lehtera
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 47 Andrew MacDonald  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes: Shayne Gostisbehere returns to the lineup after missing Saturday's game with the flu. Travis Sanheim will sit as a healthy scratch, along with Tyrell Goulbourne. Taylor Leier will return to the fourth line.

Rangers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Chris Kreider is out indefinitely after rib surgery because of a blood clot, while Kevin Hayes is out with a contusion.

 
Left Wing Center Right Wing
61 Rick Nash 93 Mika Zibanejad 89 Pavel Buchnevich
36 Mats Zuccarello 10 J.T. Miller 95 Vinni Lettieri
26 Jimmy Vesey 51 David Desharnais 28 Paul Carey
40 Michael Grabner 12 Peter Holland 41 Jesper Fast
Defense    
27 Ryan McDonagh 55 Nick Holden  
76 Brady Skjei 22 Kevin Shattenkirk  
18 Marc Staal 42 Brendan Smith  
Goalie    
35 Cory Schneider    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (6th, 3rd on road), Devils (18th, 14th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-29th, 18th on road), Devils (3rd, 6th at home)
  • Recent History vs. Devils
    • April 2, 2017 – Rangers 4, Flyers 3 (at NYR)
    • Jan. 25, 2017 – Flyers 2, Rangers 0 (at NYR)
    • Jan. 4, 2017 – Rangers 5, Flyers 2 (at NYR)
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux will play in his 700th NHL game tonight.
    • Sean Couturier is five goals away from 100 in his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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