PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: An overall view of the arena is shown prior to the start of this afternoon's game featuring the Philadelphia Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 15, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
It’s crunch time and a crucial home and home set with the New York Rangers lies ahead for the Philadelphia Flyers. Friday night the two teams will clash inside of what should be a very ruckus crowd at the Wells Fargo Center before heading north on Sunday to finish the weekend set at noon inside the storied Madison Square Garden. Fans of both sides are in for a real treat as the division rivals are two of hockey’s hottest teams since the All Star break.
The Flyers are riding a four game winning streak while the Rangers are surging after beating the Montreal Canadiens last night, and for their efforts have found themselves back in the playoff conversation by going on an impressive 9-2 run over their last eleven. Every point is massive for both sides so come Sunday afternoon there may be some bad blood leftover.
It will be interesting to see how former Ranger Kevin Hayes plays against his old squad in the crunch of a playoff push. Hayes spent his first five seasons in the Big Apple. In his short time in Philadelphia, the Boston native has grown into a fan favorite and the team is 17-0-1 in games in which he scores. Look for him to continue his hot play if the Flyers are to be successful in getting some separation from not only the Rangers but the other Metropolitan division teams who are in contention.
Both the Flyers and Rangers entered the season as long-shots to make noise in the crowded Eastern Conference, yet both have shown how quickly franchises can turn their fortunes around behind the right mix of youth and veteran leadership. Two storied franchises starved for another chance at Stanley Cup glory stand in each others way.
While the outcome may not ultimately decide which team gets into the playoffs, let’s hope it at least breathes some life back into this storied rivalry.
