Rangers take on the Flyers: Preview and live conversation thread

Coming home off the back of two wins on their small trip out west, the Rangers return to Madison Square Garden to take on the Philadelphia Flyers in a game that could see the Blueshirts jump their opponents in the standings. A win for the Flyers would move them ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes and back to the top of the Metropolitan Division just 10 games in. Even this early, that’s impressive.

For the Rangers, it is expected to be the same lineup that beat the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arena last week. That game was not an easy win for the Rangers, but it got the two points they needed in the second half of a back-to-back in a new situation with new surroundings. That means Gerrard Gallant is expected to turn to Igor Shesterkin yet again early this season.

Philadelphia is coming off their first OT loss of the season as the Hurricanes walked out of the city of brotherly love with the extra point. They are also expected to go with the same lineup. No fresh injury concerns for the Flyers make it seem a pretty straightforward lineup choice, but John Tortorella is never straightforward. He will make a decision that a lot of people may not agree with.

New York cannot afford to take this Flyers team lightly. They will get into the passing lanes, they will eat pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they will work until the sun comes up tomorrow morning. With the former Rangers bench boss opposing the Blueshirts yet again, everyone in New York will know that this is not going to be an easy game. Even with the Flyers not having the most talented roster, there’s no easy game against them.

This will be another new team for former Ranger Tony DeAngelo. After his time in Carolina came to an end this summer, he was dealt to the Flyers. Working under John Tortorella seems like a volcano waiting to erupt, but as of right now, everyone is working together well. In the regular season last year, he had some strong performances at Madison Square Garden so he will be someone to keep an eye on tonight.

New York Rangers

Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Kaapo Kakko
Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafreniere
Jimmy Vesey – Barclay Goodrow – Julien Gauthier
Sammy Blais – Ryan Carpenter – Ryan Reaves

Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller – Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones – Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin
Jaroslav Halak

Philadelphia Flyers

Joel Farabee – Kevin Hayes – Travis Konecny
Noah Cates – Scott Laughton – Owen Tippett
Kieffer Bellows – Morgan Frost – Zack MacEwen
Nicolas Deslauriers – Lukas Sedlak – Wade Allison

Ivan Provorov – Tony DeAngelo
Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler – Justin Braun

Carter Hart
Felix Sandstrom

This game is going to be played at Madison Square Garden, as I’ve mentioned. For a 7 PM Eastern Puck Drop, this game will be available on Sportsnet 360 for any Ranger fans north of the border. NBC Philadelphia will hold the Flyers feed for Blueshirts in the city of Brotherly Love. ESPN+ and Sportsnet Now will hold it too. Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti will be on MSG for the Rangers feed tonight.