First Blog

So, Here we are. January 2nd of 2012 on the morning of the Winter Classic and it couldn't be a better day for a hockey game outside.

As we all are aware by now Claude Giroux and the Orange and the Black are facing off against Ryan Callahan and those Atlantic Division Leading Rangers from just up the New Jersey Turnpike. The Rangers lead the Flyers by only 2 points in not only the Atlantic but also for the number 1 spot in the Eastern Conference.

So what can we expect from today's game?

Physicality. Pure grit. Determination.

Without a doubt there will be a physical presence to this game. You can expect guys like Brandon Prust to get involved early and often in this battle. One of the biggest battles I am personally looking forward to is the one that will take place between Prust and Wayne Simmonds. Its no secret that these guys do not like one another. I also look for Scott Hartnell to get involved in the "Rough Stuff".

Along with the toughness the game will also have a lot of skilled players involved. Between Marian Gaborik and Claude Giroux anything can happen with the puck today. Not to mention when there are players like Jaromir Jagr on the ice you seem to just be waiting for magic.

When you sit back and look at it these two teams are fairly even on paper. The Rangers bring a level of confidence and patience that the Flyers lack but the Flyers posses a level of anticipation and excitement that is only comparable to catching lightening in a bottle.

In a see-saw style game with a few lead changes and scoring coming often I look to the Defense of both teams to look for a difference maker on both sides. In this game, look no further than Kimmo Timonen for the Flyers and Michael Del Zotto for the Rangers.

Timonen provides a level of comfort to the coaches and other players when he is on the ice. The man rarely makes a mistake and you know that you will be getting 100% when he comes on the ice. Del Zotto is an emerging stud on the blue line and will be a staple of Rangers D for years to come. With a big slap shot from the point and the control of the power play he is quickly becoming a favorite in coach John Tortorella's arsenal of weapons. Look for one of these players to make a difference in today's game.

The Flyers made a curious move the other day when they announced that they will be starting back up goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky over struggling Junior Astronomer Ilya Bryzgalov. And when looking at the numbers how can you blame them. over Bryz' last 4 games he is giving up well over 4 goals a game. Sorry Bryz, that doesn't get the job done. Bob has been on fire recently and today should be another solid performance by him. For the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist will get the start in net and should prove to be a challenge for the Flyers who have yet to beat him this season.

Prediction:

I look for the Rangers to jump out early and get out to a quick lead and the Flyers come come back to take it into the first intermission tied up at 1. After a second period full of excitement I believe the Flyers will be on top 3-2 going into the 3rd. After a pretty uneventful 1st half of the period the Rangers will tie it up before eventually falling to the Flyers in a shootout. Final Score: Flyers 4, Rangers 3.

I hope you enjoyed the blog. It will be the first of many installments and please ask any questions that are picking at you and hopefully we can feature them one day on a future blog.

Please send all questions and comments to Phlyers1967@gmail.com