Game 77 and Hell Week Game 3: Flyers at Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers: 38-28-10, 86 points
New York Rangers: 39-26-10, 88 points

Martin Biron v. Henrik Lundqvist

The Flyers and Rangers will wrap up the season series tonight in New York. The Flyers won the last meeting less than a week ago in a shootout, and they'll look to keep up their momentum. As noted above, they're just two points behind the Rangers, who have a game in hand. If they can find a way to steal the 6th spot, the Flyers could have an easier chance at a playoff series win.

Martin Biron will get another start tonight. He was pretty good against the Rangers in the last game and very good against the Islanders as well.

I mentioned this in the last Rangers preview, but it remains true. The Flyers need to be able to finish off individual periods and games. This has been a huge problem as of late, and it's not only costing them points, they're allowing teams like the Rangers and Bruins to pick up that extra third point that no one likes. In the last game against the Rangers, they blew a two goal third period lead and a one goal lead minutes after that. The game should've been put away, but they started playing bad hockey and let the Rangers back in it. Jim Dowd's penalty against the Islanders almost let them get back into the game, but they're not good enough to take advantage, and you can also argue that a four goal deficit was too much anyway.

King Lundqvist will be back in goal for the Rangers tonight. Steve Valiquette has gotten most of the action against the Flyers this season due to a few good games. Last time Henrik was in goal against the Flyers, he struggled in the first period and got pulled for Valiquette, who ended up winning the game. Lundqvist runs hot and cold against the Flyers, so they'll obviously be hoping he's still cold. His career GAA and SV% against Philadelphia are not good, but he also has two shutouts to his credit, one this season.

Bill Meltzer has scratches.