Metropolitan Divisional Series
(2) New York Rangers vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers
Season series: Teams split the season series 2-2-0.
They have a history: It may have been 17 years since their last playoff meeting, but the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have oodles of playoff history, littered with great moments. And while playoff history may have created hatred between the franchises, the cities — just 90-or-so miles apart — genuinely don’t like each other. A first-round series like this is a win for the NHL’s realignment plan.
For the Rangers to win: With home-ice advantage, New York must continue to dominate the Flyers at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have won eight straight over the Flyers at MSG dating back to February 2011. Henrik Lundqvist boasts a 27-13-3 all-time record against Philadelphia, and the Rangers are expected to hold a big advantage over Philadelphia in net. The D pair of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi should see plenty of Philadelphia’s top line. They have shutdown experience but must be better than they were in their second-round exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins a year ago.
Best Rangers storyline: Can Brad Richards rise to the occasion and offer the Rangers secondary scoring? The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner went from top-liner to healthy scratch last postseason. He enjoyed a solid regular season, playing in all 82 games, but his playoff failings last year are still fresh.
Leading scorer: Mats Zuccarello, 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists)
Game 1 starter: Henrik Lundqvist, 33-24-5, 2.36 goals-against average, .920 save percentage
For the Flyers to win: As usual, Philadelphia’s playoff success comes almost entirely down to goaltending. And, naturally, there’s a goaltending controversy in Philly right now. Steve Mason injured himself in the Flyers’ penultimate regular-season game, and Ray Emery could be forced into playoff action for the first time since playing six games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2011. The Flyers’ offence has been solid all year, but if Emery is in goal, their defence will have to be staunch. This is why Philadelphia acquired Andrew MacDonald at the trade deadline.
Best Flyers storyline: Can Steve Mason, if healthy, carry the Flyers to the promised land? No Philadelphia goaltender has won the Stanley Cup since Bernie Parent in 1975. If Mason can, he’ll both silence critics and eat free cheesesteaks in Philadelphia forever.
Leading scorer: Claude Giroux, 86 points (28 goals, 58 assists)
Game 1 starter: Ray Emery (9-12-2, 2.96 goals-against average, .903 save percentage)
Matchup to watch: Rangers bench boss Alain Vigneault is set to coach in his sixth straight postseason; the Flyers’ Craig Berube will coach his first playoff series. It’s not that Berube is unaccustomed to playoff hockey, but coaching in the playoffs is just a different animal. Meanwhile, Vigneault was run out of Vancouver for his inability to advance beyond the first round two straight years, and his clubs are 2-12 in their last 14 postseason games.
Big question: What will Vincent Lecavalier bring to the table? The superstar forward has been injured, then was moved down to Philadelphia’s fourth line of late. Still, he has 52 points in 63 career playoff games and is one of just three active Flyers — not including Chris Pronger — whose name is on the Stanley Cup.
Best bet: Rangers in seven.
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