NHL Winter Classic 2012: How Will Injuries Affect the Rangers and the Flyers?

The big controversy in the NHL this season seems to be injuries.  No team has gone unaffected by the prevalent injuries in the NHL this season. 

Teams like the Montreal Canadiens have been derailed by injuries.

As we approach the annual NHL Winter Classic, how exactly will injuries affect the Flyers and Rangers?  Will injuries have any significant impact on each team's chances of being victorious in the outdoor classic?

The Rangers currently have seven players sidelined.  Those injuries have cost them three left wingers, three defensemen and a center.  However, there isn’t much star power lost with those seven players.

In my opinion, the only injured Rangers who could make a significant difference in the game against the Flyers are left wingers Chris Drury and Alex Frolov. 

In addition, I would imagine that the Rangers will miss defenseman Michael Sauer.  His plus-20 rating last season proves his worth as a solid defenseman.

However, the Flyers have been plagued by more significant injuries this season. 

Among the team’s five injuries, the most notable is team captain Chris Pronger’s severe concussion, which has put him out of commission for the remainder of the season.

Philadelphia’s concussion trouble has also reached emerging superstar Claude Giroux, who missed a few games earlier this month due to a concussion. 

The injury hasn’t slowed Giroux’s production, though; he continues to lead the NHL in points.

While the Flyers haven’t been depleted by injuries like the Rangers have been, it will be interesting to see how the absence of their captain will affect them in this major game. 

Will the lack of Pronger’s presence on the ice hurt the team’s morale?

Between the Rangers and the Flyers, there are 13 players out with injuries.  In addition, each team has a handful of players who are recovering, or have recently recovered from injuries. 

The deep rivalry between the Rangers and the Flyers makes this Winter Classic matchup an interesting one, but the affect that injuries will have adds a whole new dynamic.

Will either team experience a tangible impact due to their respective injuries? 

Other than losing the simple goals and assists that could be contributed by these players, there must be some sort of impact left on each team's morale.

Without a doubt, the 2012 NHL Winter Classic will be an intense contest.  There is so much more to this game than the ongoing Broad Street vs. Broadway rivalry. 

Injuries have defined this NHL season.  Will they have a big impact on the Winter Classic, too?