By Dave Cunning

The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, stars of HBO's 24/7 Flyers/Rangers Road To the Winter Classic series, meet for the annual outdoor showdown on January 2nd, 2012 at 1pm Eastern Time.

The game will conclude the TV mini-series, and there will no doubt will plenty of bets being laid down on the game's outcome.

For those of you more interested in betting your money on actual results of head to head matchups between the Rangers and Flyers, here's how the results of their previous meetings this season:

-In 2 games played, the Flyers are 0-2-0. The shots have been 59-56 for the Flyers -- but Philly has only scored 2 goals, and has let in 6. The Flyers' Powerplay record is 1-6, and their penalty kill is 2-6.

-Their November 26th game resulted in a 2-0 win for the Rangers, and their December 23rd game was a 4-2 win for the Rangers.

-Looking back in history, the Rangers lead their regular season series 19-18-7, BUT the Flyers lead the all-time series (all games) 114-112-37. (reference: http://bit.ly/tXsf9c)

-Also keep in mind, the Flyers have Claude Giroux, who is first in NHL scoring with 45 points; and Scott Hartnell, who is 22nd in league scoring with 34 points. He's also fifth in game-winning goals with 5, and first in overtime goals with 2.  

-The Rangers only have one player in the top 30 of NHL scoring -- Marian Gaborik sits at 25th with 33 points. He is also second in NHL goals with 22, ahead of Giroux and Hartnell's 17 each.

-New York's defenceman Michael Del Zotto sits fourth in league +/-, so if he gets a lot of ice time in the game, chances are his line isn't getting scored on very often.  

-Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo leads the NHL in penalty minutes with 110, and if he continues that trend into the Winter Classic, he may cost the Flyers penalties that may lead to goals against them. Hartnell is seventh in league Powerplay goals with 7, and could be the one to make him pay.   

So there's all the factual data.

Now for some fun stuff.

EA Sports recently simulated the upcoming 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic showdown between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers in their NHL 12 game, and here are their results:

The Flyers will beat the Rangers 3-1 at Citizens Bank Park. Anisimov will open the scoring midway through the first period before the Flyers rally with goals from JVR, Briere and Jagr. 

The EA SPORTS NHL series simulation engine has a history of successful predictions, accurately predicting the Chicago Blackhawks as the 2010 Stanley Cup® champion; the Vancouver Canucks as the 2011 Presidents’ Trophy winner; and the 2011 Stanley Cup Final matchup of the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

Their simulation was conducted by artificial intelligence or logic of the videogame that uses real-life data from each player. Results are extrapolated by the videogame when two teams match up based on player ratings, line combinations, and include variances such as injuries and hot streaks to give a realistic outcome of a game or series.

2012 NHL Winter Classic EA Sports Scoring Summary

1ST Period

10:35

A. Anisimov (PP)

(D. Stepan, B. Richards)

 

2ND period

6:22

J. Van Riemsdyk

(Unassisted)

 

18:39

D. Briere

(W. Simmonds)

 

3RD Period

3:51

J. Jagr

(B. Coburn, K. Timonen)

 

 

 

There's lots of good arguments for both teams to win. So whichever way you decide to approach the research for your bets on this year's Winter Classic, good luck! 

 

NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic Betting Odds

 

Bet On The NHL Winter Classic Now

 

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