NHL Winter Classic 2012: TV Schedule, Predictions and More for Rangers-Flyers

The 2012 Winter Classic is just the latest in a rather new history of one of the coolest traditions in sports. Playing an outdoor hockey game hearkens back to a simpler time in our lives when we were care free.

Hockey starts for many people as soon as you can walk, and it almost always starts on some sort of frozen pond. The NHL reverts back to these childhood times when the Winter Classic comes to Philadelphia.

Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

When: Monday, January 2, 2012, 3:00 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Listen: ESPN Radio

What’s At Stake?

This is not just a meeting of two random teams in the Winter Classic. This is the NHL putting two of the biggest rivals on the ice at the same time.

The New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers do not like each other. As if it weren’t bad enough that these teams have to share the same division, know they will be forced to share the same ice. Something tells me this game could get physical.

Injuries: CBSSports.com

Flyers

Chris Pronger, D, Out

Rangers

Steve Eminger, D, Out          

Jeff Woywitka, D, Out

Michael Sauer, D, Out

Wojtek Wolski, F, Out

Flyers Player to Watch: Claude Giroux

There is no better player in the NHL right now than Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, and he has a league-leading 44 points to prove it. Despite missing time due to concussion-like symptoms, Giroux remains the leading scorer in the NHL and one of the most dominant players to wear the orange and black since Eric Lindros was in Philly.

Rangers Player to Watch: Henrik Lundqvist

As good as the Flyers are offensively, they have to face off with one of the best goalies of our generation in Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers netminder is the picture of consistency and the Flyers have been stonewalled by this megastar many the times.

What They’re Saying

Sports business reporter for CNBC Darren Rovell is reporting on Twitter:

Philadelphia Inquirer Flyers beat writer Sam Carchidi fills in more information on the event:

Key Matchup: Ilya Bryzgalov vs. Himself

While the Philadelphia Flyers brought Bryzgalov into the organization to be the solution in between the pipes for the foreseeable future, he has not performed at the level fans and management had hoped.

Breezy’s .890 save percentage and 3.01 goals-against average are among the worst in his career, leaving everyone associated with the signing concerned about the goalie’s future in the city of brotherly love.

In light of Bryzgalov's struggles, Sergei Bobrovsky will start in his place, according to NBC's Joe Yerdon. If for some reason Bobrovsky struggles early, the Flyers will have to gut it out the rest of the way with Bryzgalov. Perhaps this benching is what is needed to spark him and provide the Flyers with a Stanley Cup run.

Prediction: Flyers 5, Rangers 2

Check back for more on the National Hockey League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NHL page to get your fill of all things hockey.

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