Rangers at Flyers
A number of paths exist for the Philadelphia Flyers to capture a postseason berth, but the most direct route could come on Saturday afternoon in the form of securing at least one point against the visiting New York Rangers. The Flyers, who hold a four-point lead over Florida for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, could still punch their ticket should the Panthers fail to win either of their final two games.
"Obviously you would have liked to have clinched by now, but if we win (Saturday) or get a point, we're in. We control everything," defenseman Andrew MacDonald told Philly.com. Captain Claude Giroux scored and set up a goal for his third straight multi-point performance in Thursday's 4-3 win over Carolina, giving him career-best totals in goals (31), assists (68) and points (99) - with one, five and six, respectively, of those coming against New York this season. The Flyers have won two of those three meetings versus the Rangers, who have dropped eight of 10 overall as they brace for the reality of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. Henrik Lundqvist will get the nod on Saturday as he attempts to redeem himself following a five-goal performance against New Jersey on Tuesday and a seven-goal effort in a 7-4 setback to Philadelphia on Feb. 18.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC
ABOUT THE RANGERS (34-38-9): Kevin Hayes extended his point streak to five games (four goals, one assist) when he scored in his third straight contest during Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old has erupted for 15 goals and 26 points in 32 games since returning from an injury on Jan. 25. Fellow center Mika Zibanejad has career highs in goals (27), power-play tallies (14), power-play points (21) and shots on goal (210) this season, although he has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six outings.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (41-26-14): Brian Elliott generously was described as being rusty as he struggled to turn aside 19 shots against the Hurricanes in his return from a near-two-month absence following core-muscle surgery. "You guys step away from what you do for 7 1/2 weeks and try to come back and do it without a hiccup or two," coach Dave Hakstol said of the 32-year-old Elliott, who will get the start of Saturday. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded back-to-back two-assist performances to boost his point total to 14 (three goals, 11 assists) in his last 12 games.
OVERTIME
1. The NHL on Friday announced an effective play-in game between the Flyers and Panthers (for Tuesday) should the teams end up tied in points, regulation/overtime wins (ROW), points in their season series and goal differential for the season.
2. The Rangers recalled Fs Matt Beleskey and Steven Fogarty from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday.
3. Philadelphia is 0-for-6 on the power play versus New York this season.