What better way to hype the Broadway Rivalry than a Rangers and Flyers win before Saturday’s showdown? There’s going to be one explosive showdown between these two bitter rivals if their previous outings are to be believed. The New York Rangers came from behind to beat Minnesota 4-2 at home on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers dealt some business on the road, beating Nashville 6-3.
It’s going to be one hell of a matchup Saturday night. Another matchup is on the cards that night in a crucial Central Division showdown. Check out our complete preview for the Blackhawks vs. Stars.
The New York Rangers found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the first period of their Thursday night game against Minnesota. But Derick Brassard, J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh had other things in mind, leading the Rangers to a 4-2 come-from-behind victory.
Brassard set up Miller’s game-tying goal, then scored the game-winner early in the third period. Brassard has played out of his mind in the past three games, collecting eight points (three goals and five assists). Miller has also been fantastic; he’s been a goal-scoring machine with seven goals in his last six games. He’ll be one of the Rangers’ main weapons against Philadelphia. He’s scored in each of the Rangers’ two trips to Philly this season.
New York still has plenty more players to rely on. Rick Nash is always a threat with 33 points this season, while Mats Zuccarello leads the team with 18 goals. Expect the Rangers to keep the pressure on Philadelphia’s net with their plethora of scorers.
Scoring is just one part of the game. The Rangers will need Henrik Lundqvist at his best if they want to escape with a victory. He’s played pretty well in two games against the Flyers, going 1-0-1 with a 1.85 GAA and a .952 save percentage.
The Rangers have lost four of their last six trips to Philadelphia.
Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers (23-18-8)
Wayne Simmonds scored twice, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat Nashville 6-3 on Thursday night. Claude Giroux also scored twice to lead Philadelphia to victory ahead of their Broadway Rivalry game against the Rangers.
Simmonds is on a five-game point streak with six goals and three assists. He’ll be at the forefront of the Flyers offense against New York. The Philadelphia star has three goals and two assists in the three games against the Rangers this season.
Getting the puck to Simmonds will be on Jakub Voracek’s hands. He leads the Flyers with 31 assists this season. He’s on a five game points streak with three goals and seven assists. But Voracek has been mostly neutralized by the Rangers. He only has one assist in their previous three games this season.
The Flyers have been on fire in their last three games with a total of 14 goals. If they can keep up their offense, then they should be able to score on the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist, who hasn’t been his best this season. But Philadelphia will also need to sharpen up their goaltending.
Starting between the pipes will be Steve Mason. He’s been solid with back-to-back victories after the All-Star Break, allowing just five goals on 72 shots (.931 save percentage). Mason is 2-0-1 with a 1.27 GAA and .957 save percentage against the Rangers this season. He shut them out in the lone outing on the road in Madison Square Garden.
The Flyers have won seven of their last 10 at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Flyers take their third straight win with a 3-2 victory over the Rangers.
