The 2025-26 NHL season features a Metropolitan Division rivalry matchup as the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New York Rangers in a Saturday matinee. The Flyers, holding a playoff spot despite recent inconsistencies, look to rebound from a loss that snapped their point streak, while the Rangers aim to build on a recent overtime win amid defensive struggles and key absences. With both teams vying for positioning in a tight division, this game at Madison Square Garden could highlight goaltending battles and special teams play, potentially swinging momentum heading into the holiday break.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. This iconic arena, with a capacity of over 18,000, has been the Rangers’ home since 1968 and is renowned for its electric atmosphere during rivalry games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, MSG (for Rangers fans), and NBCSP (for Flyers fans), with streaming available on ESPN+.
Team Records
Philadelphia Flyers: 17-10-6 (40 points), 4th in the Metropolitan Division.
New York Rangers: 17-15-4 (38 points), 6th in the Metropolitan Division.
Recent Team Forms
The Flyers saw their five-game point streak (2-0-3) end with a 5-3 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres on December 18, where defensive lapses allowed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to shine in net. Prior to that, they earned points in gritty wins and overtime losses, including a victory over the Ottawa Senators. Over their last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 3.2 goals for and 3.4 against, relying on balanced scoring but struggling with consistency in the defensive zone. Their power play has clicked at 25% recently, but the penalty kill sits at 78%.
The Rangers snapped a potential slide with a 2-1 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues on December 18, thanks to J.T. Miller’s game-winner. They had lost their previous game 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks on December 16, part of a mixed stretch including wins over the Carolina Hurricanes. In their last five, New York has averaged 2.6 goals for and 2.8 against, with strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin but offensive droughts. Their power play is at 22%, and penalty kill at 85%, but injuries have hampered depth.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | Goals For/Against (Last 5) | PP% (Season) | PK% (Season) |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2-2-1 | L1 | 16/17 | 20.5% | 82.4% |
| New York Rangers | 3-2-0 | W1 | 13/14 | 23.1% | 84.6% |
Series History
The Rangers and Flyers have a storied rivalry, with New York holding a slight all-time regular-season edge (153-146-37-8 in 344 games). In playoffs, Philadelphia leads 6-5 in series wins. Recently, the Rangers have dominated, going 7-3 in the last 10 meetings, including a 4-2 win on November 26, 2025. Games often feature physicality, averaging 5.8 goals over the last 10. The home team has won 7 of those 10, and this is the second of four matchups this season, with the Flyers winning the first 3-1 on November 29, 2025.
Injury Report
Philadelphia Flyers: Forward Tyson Foerster (Out – Upper-body/arm surgery, expected to miss 2-3 months or rest of season). Forward Denver Barkey (recently recalled from AHL, no injury). Defenseman Egor Zamula (cleared waivers, reassigned to AHL, not injured). No other major day-to-day issues reported, but the team has adjusted lineups without Foerster’s scoring depth.
New York Rangers: Defenseman Adam Fox (Out – Upper-body, on LTIR but skating; indefinite). Forward Artemi Panarin (Day-to-day – Undisclosed). Three players total on the injury report, impacting defense and top-line scoring. The Rangers have managed with call-ups but miss Fox’s playmaking.
Player Matchups
This divisional tilt features several intriguing battles, with projected lineups highlighting star forwards and goaltending:
Travis Konecny (PHI, RW) vs. Artemi Panarin (NYR, LW): Konecny (leading Flyers with 15 goals, 32 points) brings speed and sniping, but if Panarin (day-to-day; 18 goals, 38 points) plays, his playmaking could exploit Philadelphia’s occasional turnovers.
Trevor Zegras (PHI, C) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR, C): Zegras (14 goals, 34 points) anchors the top line with creativity, facing Zibanejad’s two-way game (12 goals, strong faceoffs at 52%).
Cam York (PHI, D) vs. Chris Kreider (NYR, LW): York (defensive stalwart with 10 points) must contain Kreider’s net-front presence (14 goals, power-play specialist).
Dan Vladar (PHI, G) vs. Igor Shesterkin (NYR, G): Vladar (expected starter; 2.45 GAA) faces Shesterkin (2.67 GAA, .915 SV%), in a goaltending duel that could keep scores low.
The Rangers’ depth edges out, but Flyers’ youth could force turnovers.
Betting Trends
The Rangers have covered the spread in 4 of their last 6 home games but are 3-7 ATS as favorites this season. The over has hit in 7 of New York’s last 10, driven by high-shot volumes (averaging 28 shots allowed). Philadelphia is 6-4 ATS on the road and 5-2 ATS as underdogs, with the under cashing in 6 of their last 8 due to strong PK. Head-to-head, the Rangers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings, and the under has hit in 6 of 10, averaging 5.5 goals. League-wide in December 2025, unders are at 55% in divisional games with injury-impacted teams.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
New York Rangers – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 19, 2025
