Winter Classic 2012: Streaking NY Rangers Will Top Flyers with Crushing Defense

The Eastern Conference-leading NY Rangers will soar past the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL's 2012 Bridgestone Winter Classic (NBC, 1:00 PM ET) at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2.

The Rangers' defense has been dominant thus far in 2011-12, and that trend will continue into the new year against Stanley Cup contender Philadelphia.

NY has won five-straight games, allowing a total of seven goals during that time. They rank second in the league in goals allowed this season, giving up two per game on average.

The Flyers recently fell victim to the Rangers on Dec. 23 at Madison Square Garden, where Philadelphia needed two third period goals to avoid being shut out on the road.

With two matchups at Washington and at Florida on the schedule before the Winter Classic, the Rangers' streak could easily reach seven-straight games before the much-anticipated outdoor showdown.

Meanwhile, the Flyers are headed in the opposite direction. They have lost four of their last five games overall, and have slipped into the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Philly gave up 18 goals in the four losses and will be hard-pressed to change its ways before Jan. 2 against NY with one matchup at Pittsburgh left before the Classic.

If defense wins championships, then the Rangers are in prime position to do just that this season. The Flyers rank 19th in the NHL in goals allowed this year, which won't cut it against many opponents, and especially not against a squad as talented and defensively stout as NY.

Given the Flyers' most recent defensive struggles, there will be added pressure on Philadelphia's offense on Monday afternoon, which has posted less than half as many goals (nine) as it has allowed in the past five games. 

The Rangers are 2-0 against the Flyers this season, and have outscored them 6-2 in two meetings. The outcome was never in doubt in either of the previous meetings, and that trend will continue in the 2012 Winter Classic. 

The NY Rangers will put up a wall against the Philadelphia Flyers on defense and in the net in front of Henrik Lundqvist, who boasts a .936 save percentage this season with NY.