Winter Classic 2012: Rangers Will Prove They Are East's Best in Marquee Matchup

The New York Rangers have been as impressive a team as any in the NHL this season, starting off the season 23-9-4 with 50 points, as it can only be expected they will take down the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 Winter Classic.

In what is expected to be a tough, hard-fought rivalry contest, the Rangers will undoubtedly walk away victorious over the Flyers.

This will be a game heavily based on momentum coming into this matchup, as the Rangers have a clear edge in this regard.

The Rangers are winners of six of their last seven games, with three of their wins coming on the road.

Meanwhile, the Flyers have seen their struggles as of late, losing four of their last six. In each loss it has been an inability to deny goals that has hurt this team the most, as they have allowed at least three goals in each of the losses.

Not to mention, the Rangers have had their way with the Flyers this season. The team has won both games against the Flyers this season and gave the them one of their four most recent losses.

The play of center Brad Richards and goalie Henrik Lundqvist was key to the a Rangers' victory in the first matchup, while RW Ryan Callahan scored the fourth and final goal for the team in the third period.

Considering the Rangers' top-notch play as of late and their dominance over the Flyers this season, it is expected that these East-best Rangers will come out on top on the national stage. 

What gives these Rangers the main advantage in this matchup will be the defense of the New York Rangers that only looks better as the season continues. This is a team that has allowed more than two goals just three times the last 14 games.  

Talk about impressive.

When it's all said and done, a streaking Rangers team will dismantle the struggling Flyers team in what should be a convincing victory in the 2012 Winter Classic.