Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games all season long. This time around, we’re taking a closer look at a matchup featuring the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.

NHL Predictions New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

Season Series: Rangers 2-0 Flyers

How To Watch: ESPN

Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York

Rangers Storylines

A lot has changed for New York since the Olympic break. Their best player, forward Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the break, setting the Rangers up for another rebuild. Even so, the Rangers still have plenty of talent on the roster. Mika Zibanejad, who had a strong Olympic performance for Sweden, has found some new confidence in his game. The Rangers will need that in order to get through the remainder of the season.

Mika Zibanejad. One-timer. Lights the lamp. pic.twitter.com/XMNy3jcafg

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2026

JT Miller and Vincent Trocheck played well at the Olympics as well, acting as fourth-line grinders during the USA’s run to gold in Milan. That should be a confidence boost for them, and the good news doesn’t stop there for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox were full participants at practice during the break, indicating both will be good to go soon. Against a mediocre Flyers team, the Rangers will look to come out flying as their season resumes tonight.

Flyers Storylines

The Flyers have rested up and will hope to rebound from a tough week pre-Olympics. Philadelphia also played the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night, giving them a chance to get their legs under them a little bit. Philadelphia has been up and down all season, but with a playoff spot on the line, they may get desperate. The Flyers were, interestingly enough, in the Panarin sweepstakes, so a strong move could help them push for the playoffs. Forwards Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny have driven the offence for Philly, and we don’t expect that to change.

Philadelphia has had a hard time keeping the Rangers’ offence in check in the first two matchups against them. The Flyers need to do that if they have any chance of winning this game. Dan Vladar got the start against the Capitals, so it is possible that Samuel Ersson will get the start against the Rangers.

Predictions and Key Bets to Watch

We expect the Rangers to take this one. New York is the better team on paper, which hasn’t come to fruition in a lot of the Rangers’ games earlier this season. Even so, they’ll be riding some new confidence in their top players, which will push them to a strong return against the Flyers. For key bets to watch, Mika Zibanejad had a strong Olympics for Sweden, and he’ll be raring to hit the ice against Philly. As New York’s new main man on offence, looking for him to get on the board.

Prediction: Rangers 4-2 Flyers

Best Bets

For the Flyers, Matvei Michkov has been quiet this season. Michkov was heating up before the beginning of the break, and head coach Rick Tochett is trusting him with more ice time. This game could be the start of the breakout everyone’s been waiting for. Take him to record at least one point in the matchup.

For the Rangers, go with JT Miller to record at least one point in the matchup.

The kids teamed up. ?#PHIvsPIT | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/ioe4KJTQPp

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 16, 2026

Main Photo: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images