Flyers vs. Rangers Prediction Playoff Hopes Rest on This Rivalry Clash
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers: NHL Rivalry Game Prediction for Thursday Night
In Thursday night’s NHL action, the Philadelphia Flyers (22-20-3-3) are set to visit the New York Rangers (23-20-4-0) at Madison Square Garden in an Eastern Conference rivalry game. This high-stakes matchup holds playoff implications for both teams, who are locked in a tight battle for wildcard spots in the standings. The Flyers have claimed a 3-1 victory in the only meeting between the two teams this season and look to build on their momentum. Meanwhile, the Rangers are hoping to bounce back from a recent overtime loss and secure another crucial win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Flyers Eyeing Fourth Consecutive Victory
The Philadelphia Flyers have been finding ways to win despite a lackluster offensive performance. Over their last six games, the Flyers have posted a strong 5-1 record. Their most recent game saw them defeat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in overtime, maintaining their playoff push as they sit just two points behind a wildcard spot. With solid wins over teams like the New Jersey Devils and Detroit, the Flyers are gaining confidence.
Travis Konecny, the Flyers’ leading scorer with 54 points, has been on a tear lately, contributing 8 points in his last 6 games. Konecny scored two goals in November’s win over the Rangers and is expected to be a key player in this matchup. Matvei Michkov, the promising 20-year-old rookie, continues to impress with 5 points in the last month, making him one to watch as his development continues. Samuel Ersson has been solid in net, boasting a 14-7-2 record with a 2.70 GAA and .892 save percentage. His performance will be crucial if the Flyers are to extend their win streak.
Defensively, the Flyers have allowed 3.4 goals per game, ranking 28th in the league, which may pose a challenge against a Rangers team with offensive weapons.
Rangers Looking to Build on Recent Win
The New York Rangers are also fighting for a wildcard spot and have been trending upward with a 4-0-2 record in their last six games. Following a narrow 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers bounced back with a dominant 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. With momentum on their side, New York will look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win over the Flyers.
Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers with 49 points this season, but after a hot start, he’s cooled off significantly in recent games. Panarin will need to find his form to help the Rangers capitalize on their offensive opportunities. Adam Fox continues to be the Rangers’ best defenseman, notching 34 points and playing almost 24 minutes per game. His leadership on the back end will be critical, especially when facing Philadelphia’s top players. Igor Shesterkin is expected to start in goal after posting a shutout in the Rangers’ recent victory. His subpar season by his standards (2.78 GAA, .912 save %) means the Rangers will need him to step up in this crucial game.
New York is averaging 2.9 goals per game, ranking 18th in the league, but they’ve struggled defensively, allowing 3.0 goals per game. If the Rangers can shore up their defense, they’ll have a great chance to take the two points.
Conclusion
The Flyers and Rangers are both hungry for the points that come with a victory in this tightly-contested playoff race. While Philadelphia has the edge in recent form, with five wins in their last six, the Rangers’ overall firepower, led by Panarin and Fox, could tip the balance. Expect a tight, physical game with both teams battling hard for playoff positioning.
If the Flyers can continue to play solid defensive hockey and Ersson can hold his ground in net, they might just steal another win in New York. However, if the Rangers’ offense clicks and Shesterkin is sharp, New York will likely emerge victorious.
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