NHLWinter Classic: NYR, Flyers aren't wilting under spotlight

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Even with the pressure that accompanies being both athletes and television stars, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have put on quite a show.

The debut of the HBO's "24/7: Road to the Winter Classic" documentary happens on Wednesday night, and the two teams have given their new entourage more than the usual share of 'wow' moments, and that includes piling up the wins.

Since the Rangers beat the Flyers 2-0 at Madison Square Garden in their first meeting of the season, New York  picked up 11 of a possible 14 points since that game on Nov. 26, outscoring opponents 27-16 in the process.

The Broad Street Bullies have been on fire, going 5-0-0 in that same period - but the news hasn't been all sunshine and daisies for Philadelphia, though.

Already without James van Riemsdyk, Brayden Schenn and captain Chris Pronger (knee), it was revealed last Friday that Pronger and Schenn are both suffering from concussion-like symptoms and are out indefinitely.

The latest victim of the injury bug is leading scorer Claude Giroux (16G, 23A) who was sidelined after this collision with teammate Wayne Simmonds:


The Rangers are relatively healthy, aside from the concussion suffered by Michael Sauer after this devastating hit from Maple Leafs' captain Dion Phaneuf on Dec. 5.

Highlight reel rolling in New York

Aside from that helmet-popping check, the Rangers seemed to have turned it on in front of the HBO cameras. They have become a highlight reel factory. Even if this highlight may be considered more of a 'lowlight' to head coach John Tortorella.

Their shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning will most likely be memorable for the Rangers' second goal of the game - or rather, the celebration/scuffle after said goal by Artem Anisimov:



On a sunnier note, (but not for Jhonas Enroth or Buffalo Sabres fans, mind you) Ryan Callahan was the next Blueshirt to provide a "WOW" moment:



And the latest - a Derek Stepan end-to-end rush that put an exclamation point on a 6-1 home win over the Florida Panthers:



Check back next week for more on the lead up to the Winter Classic

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