The New York Rangers (23-9-4) and Philadelphia Flyers (22-10-4) meet in the 2012 Winter Classic from Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2 at 3 p.m. (TV: NBC).
The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m., but as with the Alumni Game, the time was pushed back to 3 p.m. to try to improve ice conditions. The Rangers lead the Atlantic Division with 50 points, the Flyers are in second place with 48 points. The Rangers have taken both games in the series this season. The Rangers have only lost once in their last seven games (6-1). The Flyers have won just two of their last six games.
HBO will have 12 cameras capturing the action for their "24/7" series. Rangers head coach John Tortorella says his team hasn't been harmed by the process. The final episode will air on Thursday instead of Wednesday because the network will need more time to produce the episode.
"I think we've handled it well," he said. "We've had a number of distractions right from the get-go of camp. The guys have handled it well. This has been a great experience for them. I'm glad we've gone through it. We're honored to be part of it." (via Wall Street Journal)
Marian Gaborik leads the Rangers with 22 goals and 33 points. Philadelphia will try to stop him and the Rangers offense with backup goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky is 8-2-1 on the season with a 2.52 GAA. He was in net for the Flyers' 2-0 loss to the Rangers on Nov. 26. He saved 30 shots.
Claude Giroux will lead the Flyers' offense against the Rangers on Monday. Giroux has 17 goals and 45 points this season. Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start in net for the Rangers. Lundqvist has had a fantastic season with a 1.91 GAA and a record of 16-7-4.
-- See SB Nation New York's StoryStream for complete Winter Classic coverage. You can visit Blueshirt Banter for the Rangers perspective. For the Flyers perspective, see BroadStreetHockey or SBNation Philly.