Flyers-Rangers: Game 32 Preview

Kevin Durso

March 25 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

It was just eight days ago that the Flyers were handed one of their worst losses in a long time. A 9-0 defeat to the Rangers featured a seven-goal second period, showcasing all of the problems with the Flyers at the moment.

If there is going to be the turnaround so many within the organization think is still possible, it's going to have to start on Thursday night. And guess who comes to town?

The Flyers and Rangers face off for the first time since last Wednesday's embarrassing performance.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New York Rangers	GP	G	A	P
James van Riemsdyk	31	13	18	31	Pavel Buchnevich	30	11	18	29
Joel Farabee	30	14	12	26	Artemi Panarin	20	8	20	28
Jake Voracek	28	5	20	25	Ryan Strome	31	10	16	26
Claude Giroux	29	7	17	24	Chris Kreider	31	16	6	22
Kevin Hayes	31	9	12	21	Adam Fox	30	3	18	21

Since sitting out last Wednesday's game, Oskar Lindblom has turned things on a bit. He had two goals in his first game back in the lineup a week ago, then added another goal on Monday.

It's been a rough season for Mika Zibanejad, but he had a period of historic proportions last Wednesday when he not only completed the hat trick, but picked up six points. That has set him in the right direction, with nine points in his last five games, nearly doubling his season total.

Carter Hart is back in goal on Thursday night, another chance for him to get back on track and build some confidence. Hart allowed four goals again on Tuesday, though none certainly entirely on him. Hart suffered a shootout loss to the Rangers in February, then picked up the overtime win last Monday before allowing four goals in relief in last Wednesday's game.

Igor Shesterkin was out of the lineup for a few games after suffering a lower-body injury on March 4 in a win against the Devils. Shesterkin was also in goal for a loss to the Flyers on Feb. 24.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Morgan Frost (injury), Robert Hagg (injured), Erik Gustafsson (healthy)

Rangers Scratches: Brett Howden (COVID protocol), Phillip Di Giuseppe (COVID protocol)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Sam Morin comes into the lineup as a defenseman, taking the place of Erik Gustafsson. The rest of the group remains the same.
Rangers: The Rangers still have a couple of players on the NHL's COVID list, but otherwise enter with a healthy group.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (21st), Rangers (25th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (25th), Rangers (3rd)
Recent History vs. Rangers
- Feb. 18, 2021 – Rangers 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at PHI)
- Feb. 24, 2021 – Flyers 4, Rangers 3 (at PHI)
- March 15, 2021 – Flyers 5, Rangers 4 (F/OT) (at NYR)
- March 17, 2021 – Rangers 9, Flyers 0 (at NYR)
Flyers Leaders vs. Rangers
- Joel Farabee – 5 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
- Claude Giroux – 59 GP, 13 G, 43 A, 56 P
- Jake Voracek – 44 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P
- Carter Hart – 7 GP, 4-1-1, 2.85 GAA, .898 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux needs one goal to pass Simon Gagne for ninth all-time in Flyers history.
- Claude Giroux needs two power-play goals to pass Eric Lindros for eight all-time in Flyers history.