Pre-Game Talk: MDSF: (2) New York Rangers vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

[gary laser eyes]

First playoff meeting in 17 years, when the Flyers beat the Rangers 4-1 in the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals.

Season series tied at 2-2.

Schedule

Game|Date|Venue|Time(EST)|TV
1|Thursday, April 17|Madison Square Garden|7pm|MSG
2|Sunday, April 20|Madison Square Garden|12pm|NBC
3|Tuesday, April 22|Wells Fargo Center|8pm|MSG
4|Friday, April 25|Wells Fargo Center|7pm|MSG
5*|Sunday, April 27|Madison Square Garden|12pm|NBC
6*|Tuesday, April 29|Wells Fargo Center|TBD|MSG
7*|Wednesday, April 30|Madison Square Garden|TBD|MSG

*if necessary

Team Stats

| NYR | PHI Wins |45|42
G/G |2.61(18)|2.84(8)
GA/G |2.32(4)|2.77(20)
PP% |18.2(15)|19.7(8)
PK% |85.3(3)|84.8(7)
S/G |33.2(2)|30.4(14)
SA/G |29.4(15)|30.6(19)

(NHL rank)

Team Leaders

| NYR | PHI Goals |Nash - 26|Simmonds - 29
Assists |Zuccarello/Stepan - 40|Giroux - 58
Points |Zuccarello - 59|Giroux - 86
+/- |Kreider - +14|Voracek/Hartnell - +11
PIM |Dorsett - 128|Rinaldo 153

Discuss.

Click to read more...

 

[Made Dan]

Pumped. Can destroy these philly mooks.

 

[Doctyl]

I don't know about this. I think it's gonna be a tough one. Gotta solve Mason and the MSL Nash chemistry has to be going. Also McD and G need to shutdown Giroux

 

[Ranger Wolf]

God. I remember that series and how Lindros ran all over the Rangers. Gretzky was awesome but that was the best he played for us. Time for payback.

 

[Fitzy]

A couple things about this Philly club...

They rank dead last in team defense (2.74 goals against a game) of any of the playoff teams. There are 11 teams behind them but all missed the postseason. The Rangers at 2.33 have the 4th best in the league.

Philadelphia is also dead last among playoff teams in 5 on 5 play, at .97. The Rangers are slightly better at 1.07.


Their special teams play marginally outranks the Rangers, neither of which are particularly good or bad in either category.

 

[silverfish]

I don't want to wish injury upon anyone, but if Mason's injury might keep him out of the first round, or at least a few games.... this is a great thing

Take care of home ice, boys! I am PUMPED for the playoffs

Should be a great series. Rangers in 5

 

[highandwide]

Mason with upper body injury.. wondering how serious.

I'm pumped.

 

[Callagraves]

Talk about reigniting a rivalry.


I'm worried about how physical a game Philly plays as a team, and and I'm anxious to see if our forwards really have enough resilience to not fall into the same trap Pitt did last year.

This matchup is a toss-up

 

[Ratelleitlikeitis]

When has a series been easy for us? I'm thinking back to Atlanta and Kovalchuk days. To me that means adversity, dropping one of the first two but winning game 7 at MSG. Like our line depth...fear their physicality...hope to see Carcillo get in their head.

 

[Vidic15*]

Mason with upper body injury.. wondering how serious.

I'm pumped.

Berube just said he expects Mason to play Game 1. Doesn't make it definite, though.

 

[Loff]

Philly will always pull off some scumbaggery especially when they fall behind. The boys gotta be prepared.

Should be a good series.

 

[Wolfy*]

Gotta solve Mason

Nothing to solve there, he may leak like a broken umbrella. And their backup is even worse.

Philly is the best matchup goalie-wise. Bobrovsky is the better one.

 

[Thirty One]

How I rate these teams:

Toughness up front: Flyers
Toughness on defense: Flyers
Toughness in net: Flyers

Should be a short series.

 

[GKJ]

Mason will supposedly be ready for Game 1. Don't get why he needs to be feared though, he makes good saves, but has given up some truly laughable goals. Check out the Boston game a couple weeks ago.


I don't like the matchup for us, but I welcome the rivalry. Much of my adolescent/adult life, the Rangers were either irrelevant, or ended up in the playoffs against teams I hated (Sabres, Devils, Penguins), or played the Capitals who I don't care about. It's time.

 

[member 51464]

Guys. **** Philly. Penguins fan here on your bandwagon for this one. Please embarrass these clowns.

 

[park rangers]

Mason will supposedly be ready for Game 1. Don't get why he needs to be feared though, he makes good saves, but has given up some truly laughable goals. Check out the Boston game a couple weeks ago.


I don't like the matchup for us, but I welcome the rivalry. Much of my adolescent/adult life, the Rangers were either irrelevant, or ended up in the playoffs against teams I hated (Sabres, Devils, Penguins), or played the Capitals who I don't care about. It's time.

Ouch.

 

[KingP]

Got work Thursday till 8:30

What time do you think the game will start?

 

[GKJ]

Ouch.

Well, not trying to take a shot. But missing the playoffs 7 years in a row doesn't do a ton for genuine hostility. After the Lindros thing passed, the lockout, and afore-mentioned playing teams I dislike more, there wasn't much hating going on

 

[LeetchisGod]

Got work Thursday till 8:30

What time do you think the game will start?

I'm guessing 7:30.

 

[Lion Hound]

Anyone remember how Obi Wan described the city of Los Iseles? Thinking it was something along the lines of..."You'll never see a more wretched hide of scum and villainy in your lifetime" ... Pretty much sums up my views on Philadelphia.

Should rename the team the Philthadelphia Dirtbags!


With that's said, let the games begin!

 

[Clown Fiesta]

People laughed when I said Mason could still be a starter, now they are worried about him... He's been playing good, but it's still only Mason we'll use our Ex-Columbus ninja tactics to expose him.

 

[LeetchisGod]

People laughed when I said Mason could still be a starter, now they are worried about him... He's been playing good, but it's still only Mason we'll use our Ex-Columbus ninja tactics to expose him.

Who cares about Mason? I'm worried about our completely unreliable offense.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Should be a good series and a great challenge. I'm excited.

 

[park rangers]

Well, not trying to take a shot. But missing the playoffs 7 years in a row doesn't do a ton for genuine hostility. After the Lindros thing passed, the lockout, and afore-mentioned playing teams I dislike more, there wasn't much hating going on

haha, I hear ya.

 

[Sam Spade]

This will be a tough, low scoring series. Heart says Rangers, head says Flyers. Ugh!