Flyers-Rangers Preview: Hayes Returns from Injury Again

What was supposed to be a busy start to the week for the Flyers had a brief pause on Tuesday with the postponement of their home game against the New York Islanders. That erased a back-to-back on the schedule and allowed for a little more time to rest and regroup following a sixth straight loss on Sunday night.

The Flyers pay a visit to the New York Rangers for the first time this season, and get a former Ranger back in their lineup as well, hoping this could be one of the internal improvements that starts to turn their season.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New York Rangers	GP	G	A	P
Claude Giroux	20	7	10	17	Artemi Panarin	20	5	16	21
Sean Couturier	20	5	9	14	Adam Fox	20	4	17	21
Cam Atkinson	20	7	4	11	Chris Kreider	20	15	3	18
Derick Brassard	17	4	7	11	Mika Zibanejad	20	4	12	16
Joel Farabee	20	7	3	10	Ryan Strome	16	3	11	14

Kevin Hayes is back in the lineup just two weeks after suffering a re-injury that kept him out of the lineup for another six games. Hayes has played in just two games this season, but has a point in each.

Mika Zibanejad has been solid for the Rangers, but not at his usual goal-scoring clip with just four goals on the season so far and in a nine-game goalless drought. A visit from the Flyers could be just what he needs. Last season, Zibanejad scored seven of his 24 goals and 18 of his 50 points against the Flyers, including a pair of hat tricks and two six-point games.

Carter Hart will be back in goal for the Flyers. His last start on Friday against the Hurricanes was his worst of the season to date, allowing six goals on 36 shots. After making 10 straight starts allowing three goals or less, Hart has combined to allowed 10 goals in his last two games, so he's looking for a bounce-back as much as the rest of the team.

It's been a solid season for Igor Shesterkin, who is expected between the pipes for the Rangers. Shesterkin has won his last two starts and earned a win in relief against Buffalo on Nov. 21. Shesterkin has won six of his last seven games since his worst start of the season, allowing six goals to the Calgary Flames on Nov. 6. Shesterkin has allowed 13 goals total in the seven games since.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Ryan Ellis (injury), Derick Brassard (injury), Nate Thompson (injury), Patrick Brown (injury), Max Willman (healthy)

Rangers Scratches: Sammy Blais (injury), Greg McKegg (COVID protocol), Jarred Tinordi (healthy), Libor Hajek (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: With Hayes returning to the lineup, Max Willman will be a healthy scratch. No other lineup changes are expected.
Rangers: No changes are expected to the Rangers lineup.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (27th), Rangers (12th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (10th), Rangers (19th)
Recent History vs. Rangers
- April 23, 2021 - Rangers 4, Flyers 1 (at NYR)
- April 22, 2021 - Flyers 3, Rangers 2 (at NYR)
- March 27, 2021 - Flyers 2, Rangers 1 (at PHI)
- March 25, 2021 - Rangers 8, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- March 17, 2021 - Rangers 9, Flyers 0 (at NYR)
- March 15, 2021 - Flyers 5, Rangers 4 (F/OT) (at NYR)
- Feb. 24, 2021 - Flyers 4, Rangers 3 (at PHI)
- Feb. 18, 2021 - Rangers 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Rangers
- Claude Giroux - 63 GP, 14 G, 43 A, 57 P
- Kevin Hayes - 11 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 P
- Sean Couturier - 42 GP, 7 G, 22 A, 29 P
- Keith Yandle - 22 GP, 3 G, 12 A, 15 P
- Carter Hart - 8 GP, 4-2-1, 3.41 GAA, .879 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Konecny needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.
- Claude Giroux needs three power-play points to pass Bobby Clarke for the Flyers all-time franchise lead.