The Philadelphia Flyers (8-10-3) will look to regroup at home today as they welcome the New York Rangers (9-8-4) to the Wells Fargo Center for the annual Black Friday game. This is the first game of a home and home with the Rangers. Game time is 1:00.
These two teams faced of a little more than a week ago with the Rangers skating away with a 2-0 victory at Madison Square Garden. Steve Mason made 32 saves in the loss but was outstanding. Cam Talbot got the shutout in that game.
The Flyers will look to rebound from an overall poor performance in Detroit on Wednesday night. The game started with promise as the Flyers looked to have some jump early on. Detroit clamped down and with the help of a three goal second period, put Philadelphia away 5-2.
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek scored the two goals in the loss. It was a microcosm of the season. Beyond the top line and those two players in general, the Flyers have had not much supplemental scoring.
Voracek continues to be among the league leaders in scoring. His 30 points are good for second in the league one point behind Sidney Crosby. Giroux currently sits sixth in scoring with 26 points.
Steve Mason figures to get the start today in net for the Flyers. Mason has been absolutely amazing of late. The offense wasted a 46 save performance on Long Island on Monday. He was pulled against the other night but that appeared to be less about him and more about trying to motivate the team.
New York is led by Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Martin St. Louis. Nash leads the team with 15 goals and 23 points. Brassard and St. Louis each sit at 17 points on the year.
New York is expected to get defenseman Ryan McDonagh back from injury today. The Ranger captain has been out with a seperated shoulder.
Cam Talbot will get the start between the pipes today with Henrik Lundqvist going tomorrow at the Garden. Talbot posted the shutout against the Flyers last week making 31 saves.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (6th, 2nd at home), Rangers (21st, 10th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 12th at home), Rangers (20th, 27th on road)
- This is the second of four meetings with the Rangers and first of two games in Philadelphia. The two teams will go at it again tomorrow at the Garden.
- Milestone Watch: R.J. Umberger needs one assist for 200 in his career.
Flyers scratches: Chris VandeVelde, Carlo Colaiacovo
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Brayden Schenn-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Michael Raffl-Scott Laughton-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo–Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavlier
D-Pair 1: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Andrew MacDonald
D-Pair 3: Michael Del Zotto-Like Schenn or Nick Schultz
Goalie: Steve Mason
Where to Watch:
TV: NBC
Listen : 97.5 The Fanatic
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on twitter @wtfd103074
