NHL Winter Classic 2012: 5 Philadelphia Flyers Predictions

The NHL 2012 Winter Classic is days away.

As a hockey fan, one could not ask for a better way to cap off the holiday break.

Two historic rivals pitted against each other in the league's marquee event.

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to build on the momentum they seemed to have gained from a win in Pittsburgh Thursday.

The New York Rangers are coming off a December run that has catapulted them a top the Eastern Conference.

Its almost a shame that all the buildup going  into the game doesn't offer the victor more than two points and first place in the Conference.

As the previous contests between these two teams provided entertainment that any fan could ask for, this game looks to not disappoint.

After watching the 24/7 show depicting both teams behind the scenes, the table has been set. Some things appear to be set in stone while others a mystery.

Allow me to present to you my five predictions for Monday's Winter Classic Game.

Insert Name Here Fights Mike Rupp

After watching Mike Rupp verbally put Flyers' enforcer Jodey Shelley in his place on the HBO 24/7 show's segment where the two got into a vocal altercation, I have to be believe someone sends a message back.

The insert name is up there because Jodey Shelley hasn't showed the ability to either do it himself this season or make it onto the ice.

This isn't so much as some sort of primitive strategy as it is a psychological ploy by the Flyers.

They can't let Rupp and the Rangers take liberty on running at the Flyers. Make no mistake the Rangers already feel as though they can and there is no reason to think they can't.

Especially after Shelley limped back to his bench like a kid who had his milk money stolen.

I would put Tom Sestito's name in there but apparently the Flyer brass saw fit to send him back down to the minors.

If Shelley or Sestito aren't in the lineup look for Scott Hartnell to settle the score.

Most might scoff at this notion because of Rupp's size but Hartnell has shown the fortitude to stick up to other big men like Buffalo's Paul Gaustad.

Although Hartnell didn't get the better end of that one with Gaustad he did make Gaustad work for it. To make you feel better I'll even link a video of Hartnell pummeling another New York goon- Sean Avery.

Weather Will Impact the Outcome

You can ask anyone that has worked outside and they will tell you, its a pain in the you know what to work in nasty weather.

The forecast is calling for wind and a temperatures in the low 40's. Hockey players should be used to frigid air but wind is a whole other issue.

The wind will most likely affect the finesse players by impairing their strides and balance. It could really lead to some sloppy play.

What all this should boil down to is a low scoring affair. Something like 2-1 or 3-2 in overtime or shootout.

Ilya Bryzgalov Will Start.

You all should know by know I'm not ready to kick Ilya Bryzgalov to the curb, but he hasn't played that well of late.

However this event is impacted by outside influences, the HBO documentary 24/7 specifically.

Due to the political influences of the game I feel Peter Laviolette's hand will be forced here.

The fallout from starting Bobrovsky could be devastating from a marketing perspective and regardless of what you guys think this is a money making event.

Now if Laviolette does have his way I believe he would start Bobrovsky. For whatever reason the team as a whole plays better in front of him and he's on top of his game right now.

If you see Bobrovsky in there that will speak volumes to Laviolette's influence and I will be impressed.

John Boruk of CSNPHILLY.com seems to think that starting Bryzgalov would damage his psyche.

I tend to dissagree and believe as Tim Pannacio does on Hockeybuzz.com that Bryzgalov will use this to motivate himself.

After all didn't Bryzgalov himself say that the problems we have here are no big deal because the universe is so "Humongous Beeg."?

If you ask him about it he'll probably say "Besides its only a game why you heff to be mad?"

The Game Will Go to Overtime

Would you have it any other way?

Going the distance is what makes a sporting event great.

Two of the previous four Winter Classics have gone past the 60 minute mark already. One ended in a shootout the other ended in Overtime.

Both teams will bring their A game.

As I mentioned earlier the weather and emotions will result in sloppy play. Sloppy play will result in low scoring.

Low scoring will drag this thing out.

Rangers Win in a Shootout

Sad for Flyers fans but true. Hey listen, its not that bad. Look at it this way the only loser of the Winter Classic that didn't make it to the finals or win was last year's Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Flyers themselves lost in 2010 and look what happened.

I think this win will swell the heads of the Rangers giving them second half woes like the Flyers went through last year after the All-star break.

Furthemore I keep telling you guys, we don't want first place. No one should. Go back and look how the top teams in the conference have fared. Even the Penguins had to drop to fourth place to win a cup.

Going back to that year the Flyers lost the classic they finished in seventh place! Then they went on to fall two games short of a cup!

This year unlike that year they have a much better goal-tending tandem in Bobrovsky and Bryzgalov as opposed to Boucher and Leighton. Even if you hate Bryz you have to see he's better than those guys.

If any coach knows how to get it done with goalie controversy its Laviolette, look what he did in Carolina.

Seriously though I just think Lundqvist is the better shoot out goalie out of either Bryzgalov or Bobrovsky. In fact he's just better period.

The only way I think the Flyers can win this game other than the five keys I mentioned in my previous article is if whoever their goalie is that day steals the show.

It's possible but right now no matter how well the Flyers have played, the Rangers have played equally well. Therefore I think a Flyers' win hinges on the goalie.

Thanks for reading hope you guys enjoyed!

Please feel free to leave comments and questions below.

Happy New Year everyone!