Flyers Seek Revenge Over Rival Rangers After Two Recent Routs

After the way the last two New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers matchups have gone, it’s understandable if the Flyers don’t want to see the Rangers or Mika Zibanejad for a while. But today’s rematch does offer the chance for the floundering Flyers to get some revenge and right a rut.

As for the Rangers, they will be eager to keep rolling. Another prolific performance in Philadelphia will not be necessary, but today’s NHL odds do favor the Rangers to win again.

New York Rangers (15-13-4) vs Philadelphia Flyers (15-13-4), 1:00 pm ET

Rangers Playing Up to Potential in Recent Run

In the East Division, the Rangers are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the NHL postseason picture. The fourth-placed Boston Bruins are three points ahead and have three games in hand. But if their current run can continue, the Rangers can cover some ground over the coming weeks.

Since winning only four of their first 14 games, the Rangers are 11-6-1 in their last 18 games. Over their last seven games, they have posted a 5-1-1 mark and enter today’s game with three wins in a row.

Two of those five recent wins have come against the Flyers. And both wins have been in dominant fashion, to the tune of a combined 17-3 scoreline. That is not a typo. Ten days ago, the Rangers downed the Flyers 9-0 at Madison Square Garden. Then two days ago, they strolled into Philadelphia and rolled 8-3.

The star man in both games was center Mika Zibanejad. Zibanejad had only six points in his first 19 games this season after a 41-goal, 75-point campaign last season. But two three-goal, three-assist performances against the Flyers later, along with a solid March overall, and his season totals now sit at a much more respectable 10 goals and 16 assists in 32 games.

Two natural hat tricks in two straight games against one team.

Notttttt a big deal at all. pic.twitter.com/2E1Sca8ldg

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 26, 2021

Odds are that he will not have another hat-trick or six-point game today, but if he does, the Flyers and their fans will have nightmare fuel for a while.

Floundering Flyers Falling Further Behind East Rivals

The Flyers entered this season with high hopes, and their early play backed up those high hopes. Through 20 games, they were 12-5-3 and in a strong position.

Since then, however, the Flyers have won only three times, posting a 3-8-1 mark in their past 12 games. Entering today’s game, they have lost their last four games. The two ugly losses against the Rangers are the most glaring, of course. But the Flyers have given up four or more goals seven other times in this stretch. All told, the Flyers have shipped 57 goals in their last 12 games.

Things have not been good home or away, but to be frank, they have been stinking up the joint at home. After going 5-1-0 in their first six home games, the Flyers are 2-6-3 in their last 11 home games. On the season, they have only 17 points in 17 home games. By comparison, the Capitals have 26 points in 18 home games (12-4-2), the Islanders 27 in 16 (13-1-2), and the Penguins 29 in 18 (14-3-1).

Taking all of this into consideration, it’s no surprise that our consensus NHL picks fully back the Rangers to take the win and the two points today.

New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More