The New York Rangers missed out on a golden opportunity to take a two-game lead in their first-round series. As the series now shifts to Philadelphia, it’s the Flyers’ turn to get an advantage by taking care of business at home in Game 3.
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Round 1, Game 3 Preview – NHL Playoffs
Series Schedule & Results
Game 1 – April 17, Philadelphia 1 New York 4
Game 2 – April 20, Philadelphia 4 New York 2
Game 3 – April 22, 8:00 PM ET – New York at Philadelphia – view all NHL lines
Game 4 – April 25, 7:00 PM ET – New York at Philadelphia
Game 5 (if necessary) – Arpil 27, 12:00 PM ET, Philadelphia at New York
Game 6 (if necessary) –April 29, New York at Philadelphia
Game 7 (if necessary) –April 30, Philadelphia at New York
Betting on the New York Rangers
[sc:NHL240 ]Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers squandered a two-goal first period lead as they fell 4-2 in Game 2 against the Flyers.
After facing just 15 shots in Game 1, Lundqvist allowed three of the 24 shots he saw in Game 2 into his goal. New York should expect much better from its star goalie, especially when he has a lead.
For the second straight game, the Rangers had six power plays, but managed to convert just once.
Martin St. Louis’ opening goal pushed his point-streak up to four games, but Rick Nash continues his barren spell. The Rangers’ leading scorer has just one goal in his last eight games.
The total went over in Game 2, the first time it’s gone over in the Rangers’ last nine games (1-5-3).
Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers will come back home with the chance to take the series lead after valiantly coming back from an early two-goal deficit to win 4-2. Philadelphia is 4-1 in its last 5 home games vs. the Rangers.
Still missing first-choice goalie Steve Mason for the second straight game, Ray Emery bounced back from his horrendous Game 1 performance by making 31 saves. Mason is expected to make his return in Game 3, but his effectiveness coming off the injury layoff will be a major question mark.
The Flyers’ top three point-scorers – Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek – all posted their first points of the series, but Giroux’s goalless run against the Rangers is now at six games.
Philly led the NHL in penalty minutes in the regular season, and they’re keeping up the pace with 32 minutes in the first two games of the series. Despite their excellent penalty kill (3-12 in this series) the Flyers would be better served not giving the Rangers so many power play opportunities.
Writer’s Prediction
Lundqvist plays much better but Mason turns out rusty as the Rangers take Game 3 on enemy territory.
