Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions: New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

For each round of the Stanley Cup playoffs I will publish a series preview with my predictions, and you are encouraged to leave your comments on each article picking the winners of each bracket. You get a bracket filled out correctly through the course of the posts, and I will send you a FanSided hoodie.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the rules, it is very simple, you select and comment on each series preview with who you think will win the series. You can add as much opinion as you want, but all I want to know is what team you think will win and in how many games. You don’t necessarily need to get the game count correct to move on to the second round – but that will be used in the tie breaker.

I should preface this and say that there is, like every other year, sometimes no scientific fact behind my selection of these teams, as sometimes, I just don’t want to see a team win a series.

If your going to jump in on one, make sure you vote on all the predictions threads to get in on the hoodie action.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1: New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

Ok – this this one isn’t as difficult in picking out who I want to win, because it really isn’t a secret that I can’t stand anything about the Philadelphia Flyers.  Their teams are dirty, they consistently take cheap shots, and their sweaters are repulsive and make me want to vomit.  Sure I give them credit because they are out side of the black and red color scheme that everyone uses, but – outside of that, I just have an utter disdain for all things Philadelphia, especially the Flyers.

The New York Rangers have a new coach, a new outlook, and the same drive, bring a Stanley Cup back to Broadway.  Will the New York Rangers win another Stanley Cup while at MSG?  Can the Philadelphia Flyers capture magic for the first time since beating the Buffalo Sabres for the Cup in 1975?

As far as the Eastern Conference teams go – the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are the road warriors.  The Rangers won 25 away from MSG, best in the East, and the Philadelphia Flyers scored 110 goals away from home.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Season Series

As far as a season series goes, these road warriors beat each other at home.  The four game season series between division rivals ended in a 2-2 split.  While the games in Philadelphia were close – the Flyers stood little to no chance at Madison Square Gardens.  The Rangers are hoping to cash in on their road success and capitalize on home ice advantage.

From the NHL.com Season preview:

"“Home-ice advantage is always better. MSG will be rocking,” Rangers forward Rick Nash said."

Playoff Schedule

Predictions

The Flyers are not going to go away quietly into the night.  They are on a mission to reclaim some glory for the city of Philadelphia, and would like to finally get over the hump of six Stanley Cup losses since their last victory, on top of countless trips to the playoffs that have ended in countless losses in one of the first three rounds.  Look for the New York Rangers to punch their ticket to the second round in six games.