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NHL Predictions: December 20th New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

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Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games all season long. For this edition, we will be looking at Saturday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.

NHL Predictions: New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

2025-26 Season Series: First game this season (2024-25 season: Rangers 1-2 Flyers)

How To Watch: NBCSP, MSG

Time: 12:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York

Matchup overview

This game is always one both teams highlight when the schedules come out, and this one is no different. The Rangers and Flyers are bitter rivals, and this game is interesting for more reasons than just the history. Both teams are in different places at the moment, with the Rangers seemingly heading towards a rebuild, while the Flyers are on the track to the postseason. Both teams have plenty of strengths and weaknesses, and this game will be an even matchup for both.

Rangers Storylines

It’s been an interesting week for the men in blue. The Rangers welcomed Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba back to the Garden, only for Mika Zibanejad to miss a team meeting and get benched. The result? New York got eviscerated 4-1, resulting in an angry Igor Shesterkin breaking his stick. New York then went on to lose to the Vancouver Canucks, before finding some stability in a win over the Blues on Thursday.

Gabe Perrault was called up along with Brennan Othman before that game to get something going, and that move was successful. Perrault scored his first NHL goal on the powerplay off of a deflection. Perrault is a big part of the Rangers’ future, but head coach Mike Sullivan has been unwilling to give the kid big minutes. Against a lot of skill in the Flyers lineup, it’s possible Perrault sees more minutes to see were he’s at in his development.

For now though, the Rangers continue to rely on JT Miller, Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin to be the cog of their offence. However, the Rangers could be without Panarin in this one, as he missed practice on Thursday. If these three can get going against Philadelphia, expect the Rangers to take this one. So far this season though, it’s been too inconsistent to predict who will or won’t show up.

Flyers Storylines

The Flyers are coming off a tough loss to the Buffalo Sabres after finally snapping a three-game losing streak. Even so, new head coach Rick Tocchet has the Flyers playing better hockey then they have in years, and the rebuild seems to finally be making some progress. The main highlight of Philly’s season so far has to be Trevor Zegras. Zegras was acquired by the Flyers in at trade before this season, and the move has allowed Zegras to blossom. He leads the team in all offensive categories, and has 34 points in 33 games, above a point-per-game pace.

However, the rest of the team isn’t playing quite as well. The Flyers are still without consistent goaltending and a number one defenceman, big weaknesses on the team last year. Not only that, but Matvei Michkov has had trouble seeing consistent minutes and consistent production. Michkov has had several horrific defensive lapses throughout the season, making it difficult for Tocchet to trust the young star. Michkov hasn’t taken that next step that many thought he would, and that has been a big letdown for the Flyers this year.

There is still plenty of hockey to be played, and Tocchet may find it advantageous to play the young, quick star against the Rangers’ older top-six forwards.

NHL Prediction and Key Bets to Watch

Rangers 2-3 Flyers, OT

This game just seems too difficult to choose, so we’re going to go with the Flyers taking it in OT. Both teams are middle of the pack right now, with similar records. The only major difference in both teams right now with Adam Fox still out with his injury is the goaltending. New York has the advantage in that department, but if the New York offense can’t get going, no amount of heroics from their unit will save them. This game could go either way, and it will be a very fun one to watch.

For best bets on the Rangers, look for Artemi Panarin to get on the scoresheet if he plays. The Breadman has only scored one goal in his last five games, and he will no doubt be looking for a get-right game along with fellow forward Mika Zibanejad. For the Flyers, Matvei Michkov is a good bet. Michkov should see some more playing time against a non-explosive team like the Rangers, and Philadelphia could use his speed and skill in this one.

Main Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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