New York Rangers in run for President’s Trophy title as they face Philadelphia Flyers – NHL Preview
Boston Bruins defeated New York Rangers in their last game to clinch the top spot of the National Hockey League (NHL) Northeast Division, but the fate of the Atlantic Division, which is led by the Rangers at the moment, is still not decided.
The Rangers have an evident edge over other teams of the division and can enter the playoffs as the division leaders if they secure a victory or two.
Rangers are now going to face the Philadelphia Flyers, who are six points behind the former in the division.
The matchup will take place on Tuesday, April 03, 2012, at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Rangers
They are leading the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference with 107 points after 79 games. In terms of points, Rangers are tied with the Vancouver Canucks, who are leading the Western Conference. Both teams have equal chance of winning the President’s
Trophy title this season.
In their last game, Rangers were defeated by the defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins. Before the defeat, Rangers had won four games in a row.
Against Bruins, Rangers started the game well and scored a goal in the first period. However, Bruins got two goals in the second period and successfully defended the lead throughout the regulation to win the game.
Rangers have three more games left in the regular season and a victory against Flyers could allow them to gain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Flyers
They are ranked third in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference with 101 points after 79 games and have already qualified for the playoffs.
Out of their last six games, Flyers have won four with the recent victory coming against Pittsburgh Penguins.
Flyers did not start the game well, but rallied impressively to defeat the Penguins.
Penguins got two goals in the first period while giving away one. Flyers levelled in the second and added four goals in the final while allowing only two goals to win the game, 6-4.
Flyers also have three more games left in the regular season.
Predictions
Flyers have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Rangers win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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