Rangers vs Flyers: Injuries Will Ruin Philadelphia's Chances in Winter Classic

Since the lockout, the Philadelphia Flyers have largely dominated the rival New York Rangers. The teams are currently moving in different directions, however, and much of that has to do with injuries.

That is something that promises to play a big role when the teams meet in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2.

The Flyers are losers of four of their past five games while the Rangers have won five in a row, allowing them to zip past Philly for first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have been missing some integral players of late and that has been a major contributing factor to their slide.

Philadelphia has been without concussed defenseman Chris Pronger for much of the season and he may not return at all. While it could be said that his absence has no effect since he is injured so often, it was very clear in last season's playoffs how much the Flyers miss a healthy Pronger.

On top of that, the Flyers were without the league's leading scorer in Claude Giroux for four games after he suffered a concussion of his own. Giroux has since returned and recorded four points in his first game back, but concussions are very touchy. Any Pittsburgh Penguins fan can tell you that as Sidney Crosby is back on the injured list after returning briefly from a concussion he first suffered in last year's Winter Classic.

The Rangers are mostly healthy with regards to impact players, except for defenseman Marc Staal, who has been out for 10 months with a concussion of his own. Staal has been cleared for contact, though, and is in line to return soon, although it won't likely be in time for the Winter Classic at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.

New addition Brad Richards has meshed quite well with the likes of Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik and Brandon Dubinsky and the Rangers continue to play sound defense buoyed by all-world goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Because of the Flyers' considerable depth, it stands to reason that their current slump is little more than a rough patch, but if injuries continue to mount, it could turn into a full-blown tailspin. That is why the Winter Classic figures to be of great importance—perhaps even more so than usual.

The game itself is always a spectacle, but with the Rangers and Flyers battling for first in the division and the conference and the teams going in different directions currently, this particular game could be a huge momentum-shifter.

New York has all of the momentum currently, and I think that will be very important in the Winter Classic. The Flyers will have "home-field" advantage, but that hasn't come into play over the game's history as road teams are actually 3-1 in the Winter Classic.

Due to the absence of Pronger, possible concerns surrounding Giroux and the Rangers' hot streak, I think New York will reign supreme in the new year.