The New York Rangers are skating into Philadelphia this afternoon with more than just two points on the line - they’re looking for answers. After dropping two of their last three in deflating fashion, the Blueshirts are a team in flux.
The roster could look different in the coming weeks, but right now, it’s about finding a way to steady the ship. And if there’s one player who’s doing everything in his power to keep the Rangers afloat, it’s Mika Zibanejad.
Zibanejad’s Heater Rolls Into Philly
Mika Zibanejad is locked in right now. Over his last seven games, the veteran center has racked up 14 points - six goals and eight assists - and he’s been the engine driving New York’s top offensive moments.
He’s leading the team with 18 goals on the season and sits second in total points with 43. But beyond the numbers, it’s the way he’s playing: confident, assertive, and with the kind of urgency you expect from a leader trying to drag his team through a rough patch.
And if there’s a team Zibanejad loves to face, it’s the Flyers. In 49 career games against Philadelphia, he’s tallied 20 goals and 24 assists - including a goal and a helper in the Rangers’ last meeting with the Flyers on December 20. He’s been a thorn in Philly’s side for years, and the Rangers will be counting on him to bring that same energy to Broad Street this afternoon.
Jonathan Quick Eyes a Rebound
While Zibanejad’s been red-hot, things have been far more challenging in the crease. With Igor Shesterkin sidelined indefinitely, veteran netminder Jonathan Quick has been thrust into the starter’s role.
And it hasn’t been easy. Quick is looking to snap an 11-game winless streak (0-9-2), a stretch that’s tested both his resilience and the Rangers’ defensive structure.
Quick turns 40 next week, and while the numbers - a 3-10-2 record, 3.13 GAA, and .887 save percentage - don’t flatter him, they also don’t tell the whole story. He’s been left out to dry on too many nights, and the Rangers haven’t done enough in front of him to tilt the ice in their favor. Still, he’s battling, and this afternoon presents another opportunity for the team to rally around him and help him get back in the win column.
Rangers Projected Lines vs. Flyers
The Rangers are rolling out a lineup that blends experience with youth, and they’ll need all hands on deck to handle a gritty Flyers squad on home ice:
Forwards
- Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafrenière
- Gabe Perreault - Mika Zibanejad - J.T. Miller
- Brennan Othmann - Noah Laba - Will Cuylle
- Taylor Raddysh - Sam Carrick - Jonny Brodzinski
Defense
- Vladislav Gavrikov - Braden Schneider
- Matthew Robertson - Will Borgen
- Urho Vaakanainen - Scott Morrow
Goaltender
- Jonathan Quick
When and Where to Watch
- Matchup: New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
- TV: MSG
- Streaming: Gotham Sports Network
This one’s more than just a matinee. It’s a gut-check game for a Rangers team trying to find its footing in the middle of a turbulent stretch. If Zibanejad keeps firing and the team can tighten up in front of Quick, they’ve got a shot to flip the narrative - at least for one afternoon in Philly.