Photo Courtesy of Kate Frese
Reeling from their spirited come-from-behind win on Wednesday in Boston, the Flyers return to Wells Fargo Center ice on Saturday to take on a team that's caused a myriad of frustration over the past few seasons.
The Flyers (3-2-1) play host to the New York Rangers — their first divisional matchup of the season, and the first of a five-game season series. It's a rivalry that the Rangers (5-2-1) have dominated as of late, as they posted a 3-1 record against the Orange and Black last year and an astounding 16-5 record in the past 21 games.
Out of the lineup for the Flyers will be Sean Couturier, who is still out day-to-day with an upper-body injury after a hit from Zac Rinaldo in Wednesday's game. Michal Neuvirth is out as well, and subsequently, Jason LaBarbera will back Steve Mason up tonight.
Replacing Couturier in the lineup will be Sam Gagner, who scored in Wednesday's win and will shift after mainly playing left wing this season. Gagner, a natural center, played the position for the final two periods of Wednesday's game, but was 4-for-12 in the faceoff circle
Brayden Schenn will return to the lineup as well, after being a last-minute scratch on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Luke Schenn will be a healthy scratch in favor of Brandon Manning.
Leading the way for the Rangers thus far is Mats Zuccarello, with four goals and six points. Oscar Lindberg, Derek Stepan, Keith Yandle and J.T. Miller are all tied with five points, to boot. Henrik Ludqvist, who has posted a 1.99 GAA and .938 save percentage in seven games, is presumed to get the nod in goal.
In addition, the Flyers will also celebrate "Hockey Fights Cancer Night." All fans in attendance will receive rally towels, players will wear purple sweaters warmups and a 12-year-old Children's Hospital of Philadelphia patient will drop the ceremonial first puck.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (17th, 26th at home), Rangers (22nd, 28th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th, T-1st at home), Rangers (9th, 7th on road)
- Derek Stepan has 24 points in 25 career games against the Flyers, with 18 of those coming in the last 16 games.
- Milestone Watch: Claude Giroux is three away from 150 career goals.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sam Gagner-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Scott Laughton-Brayden Schenn
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Ryan White
D-Pair 1: Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto-Radko Gudas
D-Pair 3: Evgeni Medvedev-Brandon Manning
Goalie: Steve Mason
Scratches: Sean Couturier, Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn
Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 FM
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
