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New York Rangers Hope for Third Straight Vs Philadelphia Flyers

By Jay Travers

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The New York Rangers take the ice tonight against long time rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.

After a solid comeback win on Thursday night against the Arizona Coyotes, the Rangers come into Philly on a two game win streak. The Flyers, however, are on a two game losing streak. Already it seems that the Blueshirts have the mental advantage.

An early goal from the Coyotes on Thursday night quieted the Garden crowd, but it did not quiet the Rangers, relentlessly fighting back to win 4-1.

Keith Yandle scored his first goal against his former Coyotes, and jump-started the powerplay.

A game like that is what head coach Alain Vigneault is hoping from his club tonight.

Forward Rick Nash hopes to be on the goal sheet tonight. He made it Thursday night but that is only the beginning. The puck has not gone his way so far this year, but October has not ended yet. Nash will be very competitive as the season comes on.

Here are three things to look for as the Rangers take on their rivals tonight:

1) Hard, hard hitting at all times

Feb 7, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) is hit by New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Whenever the Rangers play the Flyers there is always some after-the-whistle pushing and shoving. There will also be hard hits and massive huge collisions at all times during the 60 minutes.

Physicality plays a major role in any of the games between the Rangers and Flyers.

Expect many post whistle hits and maybe even a fight happening tonight. Philly will do anything for a spark in their club. Being on a two game losing streak does not feel very good, and Philly wants to get their message across.

A big hit can change the direction of a game with the snap of your fingers, and the Rangers will not be afraid to hit back.

2) McDonagh or Girardi on the ice whenever Giroux is

Mar 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) keeps the puck from Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Claude Giroux is one of the best centers in the game. His faceoff percentage is at 58.5% and anything over 55% is tremendous.

He also has a very powerful shot from anywhere on the ice. A great example of this can be seen against the Boston Bruins in a 5-4 OT win.

In order to win tonight, the Rangers will have to take Giroux out of the question, and shutting him down with Ryan McDonagh or Dan Girardi will be a key in that.

If you take Giroux out of the equation, then the Rangers’ job will be a lot easier tonight.

He is responsible for much of the Flyers’ offensive production, if he is on the ice he can score it is as simple as that.

3) An onslaught of shots against Steve Mason

Oct 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Sharks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Goalie Steve Mason gets the nod in goal tonight for the Flyers, and the Rangers will have to put everything on net in order to score.

Mason is a good goaltender but has not found the Rangers number. In order to beat him, there has to be a lot of shots taken and on net. Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Hayes all have to take each shift at a time and take good shots.

Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan will be the usual offensive playmakers on the top two lines. Any offensive production will start from either of these two.

Shots from the blueline are going to help too. If Yandle and McDonagh can shoot good tonight, Mason is going to have a problem.

Read More: New York Rangers Defense Might Be Starting to Feel Age

With the hope of making it three straight, the Rangers really have to come together and compete in this game. The Flyers are not a team to mess with. At 3-2-1 they do not seem deadly, but they are. Up and down the roster they possess big scorers for big time moments.

Line combinations for the offense tonight are expected to look something like:

  1. Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello
  2. Kreider-Brassard-Fast
  3. Lindberg-Hayes-Mller
  4. Stalberg-Moore-Stoll

Defensive:

  1. McDonagh-Klein
  2. Yandle-Girardi
  3. Staal-Boyle

Puck drop is at 7:00 tonight, the Rangers are ready to battle.

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