NHL Winter Classic 2012: Jersey Photos and Predictions for Rangers vs. Flyers

The New York Rangers will face off with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 Winter Classic. It's the fifth consecutive season the NHL will hold an outdoor game and the second one to feature the Flyers, who lost to the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park in 2010.

Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium hosted the first Winter Classic in 2008. Hockey fans will remember Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby gliding through a Buffalo snowstorm to beat Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to secure a shootout victory.

Since then Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and now Philadelphia have hosted the event, which has become the league's marquee regular season event. It's an idea that was first brought into focus by the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton.

Where: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.

When: Monday, Jan. 2 at 3 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Listen: WEPN 1050 AM (New York) or WIP 610 AM (Philadelphia)

Jersey Photos

Key Injuries (via Rotoworld)

Rangers: Wojtek Wolski (groin), Marc Staal (concussion), Steve Eminger (shoulder)

Flyers: Chris Pronger (concussion), Brayden Schenn (concussion), Sean Couturier (head)

What They're Saying

CNBC sports business guru Darren Rovell provides some evidence that the Winter Classic's popularity continues to grow:

New York Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky wants to make sure fans are watching the highly-regarded HBO show 24/7, which follows both teams during the lead up to Jan. 2:

Rangers Player to Watch: Marian Gaborik

After suffering through a disappointing second season with the Rangers, Gaborik has rediscovered his point-per-game form. He has tallied 19 goals and 11 assists in 31 games and continues to be New York's most dangerous offensive threat.

Many people thought a move to a large market like New York would turn Gaborik into a superstar, but that doesn't appear to be a role he's interested in pursuing.

Either way, he's still on his way toward having a tremendous career.

Flyers Player to Watch: Claude Giroux

Giroux recently returned to the Flyers lineup after a concussion and hasn't shown any ill effects. That's good news, because the league can't afford to lose another young star as Crosby continues to deal with problems, forcing him back out of Pittsburgh's lineup.

Despite missing a couple of games, Giroux still leads the NHL scoring race with 43 points. He's made steady improvement throughout his young career and appears to be asserting himself as a premier threat.

Hopefully he doesn't suffer any setbacks before the new year.

Key Matchup: Henrik Lundqvist vs. Sergei Bobrovsky

Lundqvist is having the best season of his career between the pipes for the Rangers and is one of the major reasons the team sits in fourth place. His save percentage ranks third in the league and his GAA comes in fifth.

It hasn't been as smooth for Ilya Bryzgalov, who is being benched in favor of Bobrovsky, according to NBC's Joe Yerdon. He was brought in by the Flyers to solidify their shaky goaltending situation, but hasn't lived up to expectations. Even with him struggling to find his game, Philadelphia leads the Eastern Conference. If Bobrovsky can get into a zone, watch out, but at least Bryzgalov will be able to spell him if there is any sign of trouble.

Prediction

Flyers 3, Rangers 2