Thursday, January 31, 2008

Rangers vs. Flyers Preview

Tonight the New York Rangers (24-22-6) visit the Philadelphia Flyers (28-16-5). The Rangers look to avoid extending its road losing streak to seven games while trying for its sixth straight win at the Wachovia Center. They enter this game not having won away from Madison Square Garden since beating Toronto 6-1 on Dec. 29. They're 0-4-2 since and that win over the Maple Leafs was their lone victory in their last 11 road games (1-6-4). But making the 100-mile trek to Philadelphia has been a boost to New York's confidence lately. The Rangers have won five straight and nine of the past 10 on the Flyers' home ice dating to March 27, 2004. The Rangers offense continued to sputter on Tuesday night in a 3-1 loss at Carolina, the first game of a four-game road trip. No team in the NHL has fewer goals than the Rangers' 125, and they've scored just 14 in their last seven games. Philadelphia has been one of the NHL's hottest teams over the past month. The Flyers have gone 12-2-1 since Dec. 27 and haven't lost in regulation to a team other than New Jersey since Dec. 21. The Flyers are third in the league in goals with 163, and haven't scored fewer than three in a game since Jan. 4. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

...still a little early to call this a must win, but this is as big a game as you can think of in January.

...all reports indicate that Valiquette will get the start tonight. With the Flyers scoring the third most goals in the league, this might get ugly. Or Valiquette could stand on his head and we'll only lose 2-1.

...well its finally happened, we are officially the worst scoring team in the league. 125 goals in 52 games. Ottawa leads the league with 179 in 51 games. That's 54 more goals in one less game.

...not sure whose in goal for Philly, but does it really matter when we make every goalie look like Patrick Roy.

...Scott Hartnell has the hot hand for the Flyers (11 goals - five game-winners - and six assists in his past 10 games). So he's good for at least four tonight.

...you think I'm down on this team right now. I'll have more when available.

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