Winter Classic 2012: Rangers and Flyers Clash Will Be a High-Scoring Thriller

The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers will make the 2012 Winter Classic the highest-scoring outdoor battle since the event began in 2008.

Players such as Flyers center Claude Giroux and Rangers winger Marian Gaborik will treat fans with an offensive explosion that will make this year's Classic the best yet.

Philadelphia is second in the NHL with 3.42 goals scored per game, and the Rangers are 10th with an average of 2.94 goals per game.

Giroux is second in the NHL in points with 45, just one behind Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin. He ranks that high despite playing in just 32 games this season, which is at least five less games played than anyone else in the top five of points.

The young Flyers forward is becoming a superstar talent, and unlike many Philadelphia stars, he's actually quite likable.

He plays the game hard, doesn't boast in the media and is just a joy to watch. Giroux is going to be a great player for a long time and will have a huge impact on the outcome of tomorrow's Winter Classic. If he's not scoring the goals, he will be assisting on them.

For the Rangers, the scoring spree will begin and likely end with Gaborik, who when healthy is an elite player capable of scoring 40 goals every year.

Thus far in 2011-12, Gaborik is healthy, and the Rangers are really benefiting from his consistent presence in the lineup. He is second in the NHL in goals scored with 22, four behind Tampa Bay Lightning star center Steven Stamkos.

When you have two teams who hate each other and want to embarrass their rival on a national stage, there are going to be goals.

Despite both teams having star goaltenders, this Winter Classic will be full of goals due to the fact that every player is going to get an extra boost of adrenaline because of the outdoor atmosphere. The Winter Classic is almost a playoff atmosphere, and the players do everything to win.

The Rangers and Flyers will put on a good advertisement for hockey and show the world how exciting the game can be when goals are being scored early and often.

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