With the
results of the first two meetings between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia
Flyers the Rangers will be looking for more of the same in the 2012 Bridgestone
NHL Winter Classic Jan 2. The Rangers
took down the Flyers 4-2 Friday night for their fourth straight win and gained
first place in the Atlantic Division courtesy of less games played.
For much
of the night it appeared that Henrik Lundqvist was going to shutout the Flyers
for the second time, but he had to settle for 28 saves and two goals against on
the evening. Lundqvist was excellent
throughout the game with solid positioning and great control of rebounds.
Offensively
the key for the night was traffic around the net. Derek Stepan and Ruslan Fedotenko scored the
Rangers first two goals on deflections of Stu Bickel point shots. Stepan’s deflection from chest high was a
thing of beauty that left Flyers’ goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov stunned that it had
gone in. Fedotenko’s deflection went in
and out of the net so fast that it was initially missed as a goal before review
gave him his first goal in 10 games.
Marian
Gaborik scored his league leading 21st goal of the season when he converted on
a breakaway in the third period and Ryan Callahan capped the scoring with a
rebound power play goal off Dan Girardi’s shot.
- Dubinsky
was strong again tonight creating chances, even if there was no finish tonight.
- Ryan
McDonagh was tremendous tonight with his coverage. He was excellent all night in stepping up in
neutral ice to take away time and space from the Flyers who love to carry the
puck.
- Del
Zotto continues to rack up points with two more assists and another plus-two.
- Gaborik
gave the Garden a scare when he went down after scoring his goal and wincing,
but he returned
