The New York Rangers may not have had the greatest stretch of games recently, but they did manage to get off to an incredibly strong start to the season, putting them into one of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division. Even though the Rangers lost superstar goalie Igor Shesterkin for the season due to a knee injury, they still find themselves in third place as of Wednesay morning following Tuesday's win over the St. Louis Blues.
There is still a lot of season left, but they can take solace in knowing they didn't have as rough of a start as the rival Philadelphia Flyers. After not only making it to the playoffs last season, but also to the second round of the playoffs, the Flyers find themselves tied for last place in the Metropolitian Division after 17 games. It has been a disastrous start for the Flyers, who had such high hopes entering the new season.
The Rangers have the chance to send more negative vibes the Flyers' way, as the two teams face off on Thursday night, their first head-to-head matchup of the season.
Flyers had disastrous follow-up to playoff trip last season
The NHL world knew about the Flyers last season, where they had a late surge to clinch third place in the Metro to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They then faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and defeated them in six games to advance to the second round. The Flyers didn't stand much of a chance against the Carolina Hurricanes, who swept them out of the playoffs, and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Even though the Flyers didn't make any major additions, especially after swinging and missing on a Leo Carlsson offer sheet, the expectation was that the Flyers would firmly solidify themselves as playoff contenders. But then, the tone was set after they lost 7-0 to the Penguins in their season opener. Things only got worse, as the Flyers didn't pick up their first win of the season until their 10th game. They started off the campaign with an 0-6-3 record.
That win did result in a three-game winning streak for the Flyers. However, before their head-to-head game against the Rangers, the Flyers dropped three of their last four games. Hence, why they're in last place in the division alongside the Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Rangers have a chance to twist the knife on Flyers' miserable start to season
The Rangers have lost four of their last five games heading into Thursday night's game. This is a team that is starting Dylan Garand every game due to the injuries at goaltender. Not to mention, head coach Mike Sullivan is making adjustments to the forward lines and power play unit. After starting off 4-2-0 on the season, the Rangers sit at 8-7-1.
If there is one aspect that the Rangers have an advantage over the Flyers in, it's when they are down a skater or more. Through 16 games, New York has a league-best 90.4 penalty kill success percentage. Meanwhile the Flyers' power play units are struggling again, much like they did in the playoffs last year. The Flyers have a 16.7 power play percentage, which is the sixth-worst in the NHL.
If the Rangers manage to pick up a win on Thursday, they have the chance to not only keep the Flyers in last place in the Metropolitan Division, but also that early on this season, the Rangers should be viewed as more viable playoff contenders.
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