Flyers-Rangers: Game 33 Preview

Kevin Durso

March 27 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

It can't possibly get much worse. After a 9-0 loss last week, the Flyers somehow found a way to repeat that performance on Thursday, falling behind 6-0 early in the second on their way to an 8-3 loss.

The Rangers are back at Wells Fargo Center again on Saturday afternoon to take on the Flyers again, with the Flyers desperately needing to do something to turn their season around or face some significant consequences of a lost season.

Game time is at 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New York Rangers	GP	G	A	P
James van Riemsdyk	32	13	18	31	Pavel Buchnevich	31	13	18	31
Joel Farabee	31	14	13	27	Ryan Strome	32	11	19	30
Jake Voracek	29	5	20	25	Artemi Panarin	21	8	21	29
Claude Giroux	30	8	17	25	Mika Zibanejad	32	10	16	26
Kevin Hayes	32	10	13	23	Adam Fox	31	3	23	26

Once again, a game like Thursday's warrants a response from the team in some way. Even if change is necessary, even if this season can't be saved, at least show you have a pulse and care a little bit about the result. Claude Giroux needs to lead the way on that front.

Not to pick the same guy twice in a row, but Mika Zibanejad had two games for the ages against the Flyers in the last eight days. There's no reason to think he can't somewhat repeat that on Saturday, given his six goals and 12 points over two games, helping to fuel a stretch of 15 points in his last five.

Brian Elliott finished off Thursday's game in relief and only allowed three goals instead of four like the last time the two teams met. Elliott will get the chance to go in goal and be the last line of defense against what the Flyers hope isn't another barrage of Rangers chances.

Igor Shesterkin was certainly able to get back into a rhythm with a 41-save performance in Thursday's game. Despite allowing three goals, he was very solid and figures to be a key piece for the Rangers down the stretch. He gets right back in goal on Saturday.

Projected Lineups

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

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

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Aside from the change in goal, no other changes are expected to the Flyers lineup.
Rangers: The Rangers will also use the same lineup as the previous game on Saturday.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (T-15th), Rangers (25th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (28th), Rangers (5th)
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)
- March 25, 2021 – Rangers 8, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Rangers
- Joel Farabee – 6 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P
- Kevin Hayes – 8 GP, 5 G, 3 A, 8 P
- Claude Giroux – 60 GP, 14 G, 43 A, 57 P
- Jake Voracek – 45 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P
- Brian Elliott – 15 GP, 4-9-1, 3.35 GAA, .875 SV%