Winter Classic 2012: Scott Hartnell and Players Guaranteed to Fight

One of the best parts about a hockey game is the fights. It gets the crowd energized, it fires the team up and it shows how physically in-shape these athletes are to fight while on skates. 

In two games this year, there have been four fights, which means at least one of these guys will throw down their gloves at this year’s Winter Classic.

Philadelphia Flyers: Scott Hartnell

Hartnell is always mixing it up with the opposing team after the whistle. He finds a way to get under his opponents' skin, while being one of the top producers on the Flyers. 

He has only gotten into one fight this year, so his chances are pretty low. However, on the big stage at the Winter Classic, he may drop the gloves to tangle with one of the Rangers. 

Possible Fight Partner

Hartnell could pick a fight with Rangers agitator Sean Avery. This would be a fight between two players that other teams hate to play against because of their playing style. 

Hartnell’s Chance at Dropping The Gloves: 3 out of 5 Bobby Clarkes

New York Rangers: Brandon Prust

Prust leads the Rangers in fights this year with 11. He has three fights against the Flyers this year, with a 3-0 record (according to Hockey Fights.com). 

For the year, Prust is 6-3-2 with a 2-2 record in the month of December. It looks like if there is anyone in this game that will throw down for the Rangers it will be Prust. 

Possible Fight Partner

In his three fights, Prust has gone toe-to-toe with three different Flyers. However, it looks like if he is going to fight with anyone, it’s going to be against Zac Rinaldo.

Prust’s Chance at Dropping The Gloves: 5 out of 5 Adam Graves

Philadelphia Flyers: Zac Rinaldo

Rinaldo may have lost more fights than he has won as a Flyer, but it hasn’t stopped the young winger from dropping the gloves whenever he has a chance. 

Rinaldo comes into the Winter Classic with a 1-6-1 record and has fought and lost against the Rangers when they played the Flyers back in November. If Rinaldo can get onto the ice with the Rangers’ Prust, they will find each other and give us a spirited fight. 

Possible Fight Partner

If Rinaldo cannot find Prust, then he will set his sights on Mike Rupp. Rupp may only have three fights on the year, however he did fight at last year’s Winter Classic as a Pittsburgh Penguin. 

Rinaldo’s Chance at Dropping The Gloves: 4 out of 5 Bobby Clarkes

These two teams will find a way to throw down at the Winter Classic. It may be between two of these fighters on this list, or it may be between two people you wouldn’t expect. Either way, you will see at least one brawl. 

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