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High stakes for Flyers against Rangers

Apr 12, 2009 - 3:36 AM By Brett Huston Stats Writer

NY Rangers (42-30-9) at Philadelphia (44-26-11), 5:00 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers know who they'll be playing in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and the Rangers know they'll be hitting the road to open the postseason.

The Flyers can make sure they won't have to say the same.

Philadelphia can clinch the East's No. 4 seed and home ice in the first round of the playoffs with a point Sunday afternoon against the visiting Rangers in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The Flyers (44-26-11) came into Saturday tied with Carolina and Pittsburgh for fourth in the East, and coach John Stevens' team jumped ahead with a 3-2 victory that afternoon against the New York Islanders.

The Hurricanes lost to New Jersey in their finale, while the Penguins beat Montreal later Saturday night to ensure Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will meet in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference final.

Where that series will begin, however, is still undecided. The Penguins' regular season is over, meaning the Flyers can earn home ice by picking up one point against the Rangers (42-30-9).

"I've said all along that as long as we take care of ourselves it doesn't matter what happens outside of us," Stevens said.

"I have seen the focus get a lot better this week. Even in practice, the guys seemed more relaxed and focused, and that's a sign that the playoffs are getting close."

New York has nothing tangible to play for Sunday, as the Canadiens' loss to the Penguins on Saturday locked the Rangers into the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with Southeast Division champion Washington.

"We're going to try and win Sunday, and then we're going to go to work and get ready for the playoffs," Rangers coach John Tortorella told the team's official Web site. "We've got a lot of work to do, and we need to improve in all areas. But it's good to be in."

New York may not have seeding or home ice on the line like the Flyers do, but will be looking to continue its domination of Atlantic Division rivals. New York is 13-4-2 against Philadelphia in the past 19 meetings - 3-2-0 this season - with the latest victory coming 2-1 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden as Tortorella's club wrapped up a playoff berth.

Ryan Callahan had a goal and an assist in that win, giving him a team-high five points against the Flyers this season.

The Rangers, who are tied with the Islanders as the lowest-scoring team in the East, can rightfully expect to go as far in the playoffs as Henrik Lundqvist will carry them. He's 5-1-0 with a 3.09 goals-against average in his career at Philadelphia, with the lone blemish a 4-2 loss last month.

With nothing to be gained, however, Stephen Valiquette may get the call in net for the Rangers. Considering his track record against the Flyers, that's not a bad thing - he's 5-1-1 with a 1.65 GAA in eight games, including five starts.

Martin Biron is Philadelphia's No. 1 goaltender heading into the playoffs, and he's generally looked great against the Rangers. The veteran is 4-3-1 with a 2.26 GAA in his last eight games - seven starts - versus New York.

The Flyers' Mike Richards has a seven-game point streak against the Rangers, during which he's recorded five goals and two assists.