Flyers-Rangers 5 things: Welcome back, Andrew MacDonald

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Flyers at Rangers
7:30 p.m. on NBCSN

Fresh off a crushing overtime loss less than 24 hours ago, the Flyers (24-20-10) will look to salvage their weekend back-to-back when they conclude their season series with the New York Rangers (31-18-6) on Sunday night.

Here are five things you need to know before puck drop at Madison Square Garden:

1. Mac is back
Uh oh.

The loss of Michael Del Zotto is significant. Flyers GM Ron Hextall announced Del Zotto will miss "weeks" with an upper-body injury after Saturday's 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils (see story).

Del Zotto, who has been seen icing his left wrist frequently over the last month or so, was hurt in the third period after a collision in front of the Flyers' net and did not return. Hextall admitted Del Zotto's ailment has been an "ongoing thing."

So now the Flyers are without a key defender. Del Zotto, who has become somewhat of a de facto No. 1 on the blue line, impacts all facets of the team's game. He plays heavy minutes at even-strength and on special teams, averaging a team-high 23:25 TOI per game. He's also developed some great chemistry with Shayne Gostisbehere and is a tremendous asset on breakouts.

It's not going to be easy to replace Del Zotto on the back end. In need of an extra body, the Flyers did, however, recall much-maligned defenseman Andrew MacDonald Saturday night.

MacDonald, who has been stuffed in the minors for 99 percent of the 2015-16 campaign as a cap casualty, was riding a nine-game point streak for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms prior to being called up. He racked up 14 assists during that stretch.

The 29-year-old veteran did make one appearance with the Flyers earlier this season, too. He was brought up in December when Radko Gudas was serving a suspension and Luke Schenn and Mark Streit were battling injuries.

It remains to be seen whether Flyers coach Dave Hakstol will actually use MacDonald against the Rangers though. Hakstol has options. He can simply re-insert Evgeny Medvedev and scratch MacDonald. Or he could scratch a combination of Gudas, Nick Schultz and Brandon Manning, who have all been inconsistent throughout the season, and play both Medvedev and MacDonald. There are plenty of scenarios. 

Yes, MacDonald's contract is horrid. But, at this point, he would actually be an upgrade as a bottom-pair defender. That's a scary thought but that's where we're at with the Flyers' defense.

2. Gostisbehere the great
NHL record for most consecutive games with a point by a rookie defenseman? Check.

Flyers franchise record for most consecutive games with a point by any rookie? Check.

Longest active point streak in the entire league? Check.

Is there anything Shayne Gostisbehere can’t do?

The 22-year-old defenseman continued his spectacular campaign on Saturday. He tallied his 10th goal of the season to extend his personal point streak to 11 games.

During that stretch, Gostisbehere has three goals and 11 assists. He also leads all first-year D-men in goals, assists and points and he's appeared in 18 less games than the next blueliner.

As usual, Gostisbehere was quick to deflect the attention away from himself and talk about his team instead.

"I’m sure my grandpa’s really proud of me," he said after Saturday's loss. "It’s more of a team game for us. We’re trying to make the playoffs here, it’s a big thing. I think it’s a little sour taste in our mouths right now because we needed those two points."

3. Extracurricular activities?
The Rangers can chirp all they want. Wayne Simmonds knows there’s no point in engaging in a war of words.

In the last matchup between these two rivals, Simmonds was involved in an altercation with Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh in the first period. Simmonds attempted to check McDonagh along the boards but was cross-checked in the head as he approached McDonagh. Simmonds retaliated with a quick gloved punch to McDonagh's face and was tossed after receiving a match penalty.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was outraged with the NHL after the league elected not to further suspend Simmonds, though some believe McDonagh's actions were more worthy of discipline.

Then, fourth-liner Tanner Glass came out and told Newsday that he will make sure Simmonds knows the Rangers won't tolerate that sort of behavior.

“I’m laughing,” Simmonds said of those comments (see story). “I’m going to go play a hockey game.”

Clearly, Simmonds doesn’t seem too concerned about the Blueshirts seeking retribution. He understands how important it is for him to stay disciplined, especially with the Flyers trying to regain ground in the wild-card chase.

“I’m going to take care of myself,” he said. “Doesn't really matter to me. I’m going to play hockey. I’m going to get two points.

“I’m not there to go for extracurricular activities. I’m going to play hockey, score goals, do whatever I can to get the win for my team.”

4. Keep an eye on …
Flyers: Yeah, let's go with Simmonds. The 27-year-old winger already has three goals and two assists against the Rangers this season and appears to be even more motivated than usual after a little bit of trash talk from his division rivals. He provides a bundle of energy, never stops skating and finishes his checks every night but it's safe to say he'll have an extra edge to his game Sunday. Simmonds won't be looking for trouble but he can handle himself when it comes to rough stuff. Where the Flyers need him to make an impact, however, is the scoreboard.

Rangers: With McDonagh (concussion) and Rick Nash (bone bruise) on the shelf, New York will need a strong performance from Derek Stepan. The 25-year-old center is a natural playmaker but is also savvy in the defensive zone. In 45 games this season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists while averaging 17:36 of total ice time. Stepan, who is always in the right spot at the right time, also tends to elevate his game against the Flyers, tallying six goals and 19 assists in 28 career appearances versus the orange and black.

5. This and that
• The Flyers and Rangers have split four games in 2015-16. Three of the four meetings between these two rivals have needed a shootout to determine a winner.

• The Flyers are 3-5-0 in the second half of back-to-backs this season.

• The Rangers are 7-0-2 at Madison Square Garden over their last nine games.

• Steve Mason has faced the Rangers 14 times. He's 7-3-3 with one shutout, a .934 save percentage and 2.13 goals-against average in those starts.

• Henrik Lundqvist has made 49 career starts against the Flyers, posting a 30-13-4 record, four shutouts, a .918 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average.

• The Flyers will kick off a five-game road trip that will last 11 days. All of those tilts will come against Eastern Conference foes.

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