After a longer than expected break between games, the Rangers are back at it on home ice against their rivals from Philly. The Blueshirts were building off some solid momentum after beating their other rivals in the Islanders and Bruins. Momentum you have to hope they’ll still be able to carry despite the five day break since the Thanksgiving Showdown. The Flyers currently hold a 500 record at 8-8-4, currently riding a six game losing streak. The Flyers will certainly be eager to break that streak while the Rangers look to keep their hot streak alive.
On the Rangers side, things will pretty much be business as usual. Like the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and right now, there isn’t anything wrong with the Rangers line up. With that being said, they’ll likely continue with the lines they have in:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Hunt
Lafreniere - Chytil - Gauthier
Rooney - Goodrow - Reaves
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Nemeth - Lundkvist
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Rangers have confidence in the chemistry that’s forming with these line combinations and it’s showing in the team's overall performance. While Head Coach Gerard Gallant isn’t afraid to explore his options and try different combinations, these lines will likely stick until they stop working or a player becomes unavailable. While Kaapo Kakko found success on the line with Panarin and Strome, he is the teams top right winger and belongs on that line with Zibanejad and Kreider. If he can keep performing to his abilities and dish the puck in a playmaker type of role, that line is going to be very successful and it’s only a matter of time until Mika Zibanejad gets his scoring touch going again.
Dryden Hunt has found himself in a great spot playing a Colin Blackwell type of role on the right side of Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome. If he keeps up the physical presence and can find open ice, he’ll not only help his linemates find the net but they will return the favor. The newest variation of the kid line is becoming one of the team’s most exciting lines in quite some time. If Julien Gauthier can keep up the highlight reel calibur assists while providing secondary scoring, Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil will continue to be offensive threats toward opponents. Rooney, Reaves and Goodrow have the potential to give Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck a run for their money as the “best fourth line in hockey”. Goodrow is best used at the center ice position, Reaves is proving that what he brings to the table is more and more valuable with each passing day and Rooney is becoming the definition of the perfect fourth liner. A role that hasn’t been executed since the days of Brian Boyle and Dominic Moore.
On the Flyers end, they’re clearly struggling as of late and for the most part, don’t have any pleasant memories from playing the Rangers last season. In a span of two games about a week apart in late March, the Rangers destroyed the Flyers by a combined score of 17-3. While lots has changed since the days of only playing teams in division, both teams have changed as well. The Rangers can’t take the Flyers lightly and will want to get shots on Carter Hart early in hopes of getting in his head, reminding him of last season.
The Flyers are good on face-offs and the penalty kill but rather weak on the power play. New York’s best bet is to buckle down at face-offs, maintain puck possession and beat them at 5 v 5. Look for Shesterkin to get the nod tonight as he and Georgiev will likely split the upcoming back to back this weekend. The Rangers have a bit of a home stand coming up as the next three games are all home, presenting them with the perfect opportunity to continue gaining momentum in front of the home fans.
Chris Feldman
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