Flyers at Rangers: 3 things to watch in Game 44

Tonight: Flyers at New York Rangers

Site: Madison Square Garden/New York

Time: 7:00 p.m.

TV/Radio: NBCSP/97.5 FM

Records: Flyers 20-15-8; Rangers 22-17-5

PROSPECT WATCH: Tanner Laczynski could be a late-round hit

FLYERS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards

28-Claude Giroux, 14-Sean Couturier, 11-Travis Konecny

12-Michael Raffl, 51-Valtteri Filppula, 93-Jake Voracek

40-Jordan Weal, 19-Nolan Patrick,17-Wayne Simmonds

20-Taylor Leier, 21-Scott Laughton, 15-Jori Lehtera

Defensemen

9-Ivan Provorov & 53-Shayne Gostisbehere

8-Robert Hagg & 47-Andrew MacDonald

23-Brandon Manning & 3-Radko Gudas

Goalie

37-Brian Elliott

Injuries/Suspensions

none

RANGERS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards

61-Rick Nash, 93-Mika Zibanejad, 89-Pavel Buchnevich

36-Mats Zuccarello, 10-J.T. Miller, 95-Vinni Lettieri

26-Jimmy Vesey, 51-David Desharnais, 28-Paul Carey

40-Michael Grabner, 12-Peter Holland, 17-Jesper Fast

Defensemen

27-Ryan McDonagh & 55-Nick Holden

76-Brady Skjei & 22-Kevin Shattenkirk

18-Marc Staal & 47-Steve Kampfer

Goalie

30-Henrik Lundqvist

Injuries/Suspensions

RW Kevin Hayes — day-to-day, lower-body injury

LW Chris Kreider — out indefinitely, blood clot in right arm

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Roles of the young guns

The Flyers are trying to rebuild on the go with significant turnover. Since the start of two seasons ago, the Flyers have had 16 players leave the organization. For most of this campaign they have had four rookies — Hagg, Travis Sanheim, Nolan Patrick and Taylor Leier — and are one of the youngest teams in the NHL with an average age of 26.6. Developing several young players while still trying to win is a hard thing to do.

“It can become a challenging combination, but the two things for our team still have to be in play at all times,” coach Dave Hakstol said. “The growth of our team is still really important to our success over the next 39 games of the regular season. I think it becomes more challenging, not necessarily because of the stakes, but because of the level of play becomes higher and more difficult. It becomes a more challenging combination, but equally important.”

2. Power-play success

Over the course of the Flyers' four-game win streak they have been aided quite a bit by the man advantage, going 7-for-14. They'll want to keep that going against the Rangers with the various different looks they can offer while on the power play.

“Sometimes you just get lucky,” said Jake Voracek, with a nod to his kick pass to Claude Giroux that set up one of those power-play goals. “Sometimes you move the puck around pretty well and it doesn’t go in. We’ve been playing together for a long time and we know if we are not good enough what to do to get better and we are pretty hard on each other when we mess up some plays. That’s how we work.”

3. Goalie matchup

It appears Brian Elliott will be back in goal for the Flyers. In his 10 career games against the Rangers he has a 2-7-1 record with a 2.97 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.

For the Rangers it will likely be Henrik Lundqvist, who will play his 55th game against the Flyers. He holds a record of 34-14-4 with a 2.40 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.