Friday, December 23, 2011

Rangers Take First Place In Atlantic Division With 4-2 Win Over Flyers


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