Betting On Rangers Flyers – Rangers, Flyers Renew Rivalry With Crucial Points On The Line This Saturday

The New York Rangers were forced to deal with a tough loss the last time that they played an Atlantic division rival. This weekend, they travel to the city of brotherly love where things likely won’t get any easier when they play a tough Philadelphia Flyers’ team that is right behind them in the standings. The Rangers and Flyers are the sports betting favorites to win the division this season, and this upcoming clash could either make the race even closer, or push the two teams further apart.

New York Rangers @ Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday February 11, 2012 – 1:00 PM ET
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NHL Sportsbook Line: Philadelphia Flyers

Trailing by one late in the third period against the New Jersey Devils, New York captain Ryan Callahan fired what should have been the game-tying goal in the dying seconds of the third period, only to have it waived off because of goaltender interference even though Marian Gaborik had clearly been pushed in to the net. The Rangers will need to be better from the outset to avoid a similar outcome, playing in a hostile environment.

Betting On Rangers Flyers Preview: New York Rangers

Strong goaltending, responsible two-way play, and a top-six group of forwards that can score some big-time goals helped drive New York to the top of the standings in the Eastern conference. The Rangers’ average goals against of 1.9 is second in the NHL, with All Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist a Vezina trophy candidate behind a solid defense core. The health of fellow All Star Marian Gaborik has been another key for New York, as he leads the team with 26 goals and 43 points. New York has the perfect blend of size and skill to win the division, and winning these divisional clashes will go a long way to them achieving that goal.

Betting On Rangers Flyers Preview: Philadelphia Flyers

Heading in to this season, goaltending was supposed to be the one area of their game that the Flyers could rely on, yet it has been their biggest weakness. Ilya Bryzgalov has struggled to maintain the starting job all season, while Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been any more convincing in that role with a 2.70 goals against average. What Philadelphia has done well is score, and score in bunches. Claude Giroux leads the team with 60 points, and the Flyers’ mark of 3.2 goals per game ranks second in the NHL. As long as their goaltending continues to struggle, Philadelphia will need their offense to carry them.

Betting On Rangers Flyers Preview: Outlook & Pick

The Flyers have scored just six goals in four straight losses to New York this season, and that is the difference between the two teams in the standings right now. That should motivate Philadelphia even more to come out and get the job done, and if they can find a way to beat Lundqvist early on they should be able to use their physicality to hold on as sports bet favorites.