Rangers vs. Flyers: 3 things to watch for when 2 streaking teams meet at MSG

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers
Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers look to extend their point streak to 10 games when they host yet another team battling them for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

This time, it’s the Philadelphia Flyers who will try to slow down the Rangers while enhancing their own playoff position. The Flyers are tied with the Rangers at 50 points, 11th in the East, just two points out of the second wild card.

The Rangers (23-20-4) snagged five of a possible six points against conference rivals in their past three games. They shut out both the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-0 in a shootout) and Ottawa Senators (5-0 on Tuesday), sandwiched around a 5-4 overtime loss Sunday in Montreal to the Canadiens.

New York carries a season-long nine-game point streak (6-0-3) into play Thursday. Philly is 5-0-1 in its past six and has won three in a row.

Related: Rangers Daily — Something’s got to give against Flyers, Kirill Kaprizov back for Wild

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Flyers

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers
Danny Wild-Imagn Images

1. Did it once, do it again

The Rangers thoroughly dominated the Senators in every facet of the game Tuesday. They dictated how the game was played, spent a lot of time in the offensive zone, scored off the rush, were physical, limited Ottawa to 20 shots on goal, scored two power-play goals, killed off both Ottawa power plays and didn’t surrender a single shot on goal on the PK. The outcome of this game never felt in doubt, even when the score was 1-0 after one period and 2-0 after two.

Simply, the Rangers looked like a quality playoff team against the Senators. Now, they need to show another younger team in the hunt who’s boss again. The Rangers must follow up that terrific two-way game with another Thursday. Double down. Break the Flyers will, just as they did against the Senators.

2. Finish Flyers off

The Flyers are not the most skilled team. They are not the best defensively. Nor does their goaltending intimidate the opposition. Their special teams are mediocre. But they battle, scratch and claw for everything they get. They are, after all, coached by John Tortorella.

The Flyers do not give in easily. In fact they are a decent 7-10-1 when trailing after one period this season. More impressive is their 6-15-1 mark when trailing after two periods. Keep in mind that the Rangers are 1-17-1 when down after 40 minutes of play.

This reverts to the first key. The Rangers must take away the will of the Flyers. Pull away, give them no thought of a comeback in a close game. Finish them off.

3. Ride the hot hand

NHL: Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Igor Shesterkin starts for the seventh time in the past eight games after being activated from IR. Since missing four games with an upper-body injury, Shesterkin is 5-0-1 and allowed nine goals. He has back-to-back shutouts and is tied for fourth in the NHL with three shutouts this season.

It’s no surprise that coach Peter Laviolette rides the hot hand again Thursday. Especially with a spread-out schedule, it’s easy to see Shesterkin also starting Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche and Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The next time we may see Jonathan Quick in his quest to become the 15th NHL goalie to win 400 games could be the first weekend in February, when the Rangers play a back to back. But right, now there’s no reason to mess with a good thing — and Shesterkin is better than good at the moment.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere

Cuylle – Zibanejad – Smith

Kreider – Chytil – Kaliyev

Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox

Miller – Borgen

Vaakanainen – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

Rangers vs. Flyers: When, where, what time, how to watch

Who: New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers

When: Thursday Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of ... More about Jim Cerny
Mentioned in this article:

More About: