Rangers at Flyers
THE STORY: The NHL is doing its best to optimize the
weather conditions for Monday's Winter Classic in Philadelphia. The
league elected to push back the start of the tilt between the Atlantic
Division rival New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers to provide the most ideal conditions for the fifth edition of the Classic. Admittedly,
South Philadelphia will not be a winter wonderland this time around, but
temperatures are expected to be chilly enough to cool down the
cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park. There's also another chill in the
air, although this one will likely be felt between Philadelphia coach
Peter Laviolette and struggling goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who is mired
in a four-game losing skid. The prized offseason acquisition broke
protocol on Sunday by declaring himself a spectator for Monday's game.
"I have great news and even better news,” the 31-year-old Russian said.
“Great news, I’m not playing (Monday). Good news, we have a chance to
win the game (Monday)." Laviolette never divulges the starting netminder
prior to the day of the contest - and rarely does so after the morning
skate. With no goaltending controversy to speak of, New York has won six
of its last seven to secure a two-point lead over Philadelphia in the
Atlantic Division.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC
ABOUT THE RANGERS (23-9-4): While Philadelphia
continues its traditional carousel of goaltenders, New York coach John
Tortorella will send Henrik Lundqvist into action on Monday. The
29-year-old Swede has dominated the Flyers in both meetings this season,
including a brilliant 29-save shutout on Nov. 26. He is
18-10-3 with four shutouts in his career versus Philadelphia. After
collecting seven goals in a five-game stretch, RW Marian Gaborik has
been held off the scoresheet in the last two contests.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (22-10-4): G Sergei Bobrovsky has been
playing better than his fellow countryman. Bobrovsky (8-2-1, 2.52
goals-against average) has won his last three starts - including
stopping 24 of 26 shots in a 4-2 win over the Keystone State rival
Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Jaromir Jagr and Max Talbot also burned
their former club with goals to secure the win. C Claude Giroux, who
sits one point behind Vancouver's Henrik Sedin for the points lead, has
one goal and five assists in four games since returning from a
concussion.
OVERTIME:
1. Eric Lindros and Bernie Parent led the Flyers alumni team to a 3-1
triumph over the Rangers contingent on Saturday. Despite leaving the
team under bitter circumstances, Lindros received a standing ovation
from the Philadelphia faithful. As for Parent, he's been one of
the city's most beloved athletes since delivering the franchise's lone
two Stanley Cups (1974, 1975).
2. Rangers LW Carl Hagelin has three goals and an assist in his last
three games. The Swedish rookie scored a goal and set up another in New
York's 4-1 win over Florida on Friday.