Standings: Flyers (22-10-4), Rangers (23-9-4)

Leading Scorer: Claude Giroux (17-28-45)

Goaltender: Sergei Bobrovsky (14 GP, 2.52 GAA, .910 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable)

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle-John Mitchell
Ruslan Fedotenko-Mike Rupp-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Wojtek Wolski (groin), Mike Sauer (concussion), Steve Eminger (shoulder), Erik Christensen (healthy), Jeff Woywitka (healthy)

Preview:  Another day, another game against the Flyers, of whom the Rangers have defeated twice this season.

But this isn’t just another day. This isn’t just another game against the Flyers. It’s the Winter Classic.

We’ve seen this matchup twice this season, so it’s tough to not know what the Flyers will bring: a balanced scoring attack, good defense despite injuries, decent goaltending (since it’s Bobrovsky and not Mr. OMG-The-Universe-Is-So-Big), and a tremendously physical onslaught. The Rangers have beaten the Flyers twice by playing solid defense, capitalizing on chances, and maintaining puck possession.

The biggest thing for the Rangers is getting that powerplay to function again, as it has been worse than terrible the past 10 or so games. The Flyers are a dangerous team, and the Rangers will need to put home some powerplay goals to beat them for a third time this season.

Crazy Thought: Brad Richards gets a powerplay goal.

Opponent’s Blog: Flyers Fan Central

Game time tonight is 3:00pm on NBC, AM1050 and XM214.

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