Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

The Rangers came into Philly hoping to get a five point cushion on second place in the Metro Division, but showed up playing sloppy hockey from start to finish. Philly is a very beatable team, and the Rangers could have really put the pressure on early with two powerplay opportunities. Once they missed on those, two defensive miscues put them down a pair, and the Rangers were playing catchup for the rest of the game.

The Flyers deserve a lot of credit in this game. They won the neutral zone battle, they forced the Rangers into a lot of turnovers, and Steve Mason was very, very strong. They took advantage of Rangers team that was not entirely there.

On to the goals:

Flyers 1, Rangers 0

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Anton Stralman, who had a very rough game, lost Brayden Schenn behind him on the doorstep. Wayne Simmonds shot deflected off Vinny Lecavalier, and Stralman’s stick –caught in Schenn’s legs because he was out of position– wound up putting the puck in the net.

Flyers 2, Rangers 0

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Matt Read made a risky cross-ice pass to Sean Couturier that was almost picked off by Chris Kreider. The problem for Kreider was that not only did he not intercept the pass, he wound up out of position to defend. That gave Couturier a clear path to the net, and he just completely schooled Hank.

Rangers 1, Flyers 2

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The Rangers made some solid passes to break out of the zone, with Derek Stepan eventually gaining the offensive zone. Stepan hit Rick Nash across the ice (with an assist to the boards) while Kreider cut to the net. Nash drew the attention of four Flyers, including Simmonds, who missed Kreider cutting to the net. Nash hit Kreider for the tip-in.

Rangers 2, Flyers 2

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There is no real breakdown in the Philly penalty kill here. This is a goal that Mason probably wants back, as Derick Brassard beat him with a very stoppable shot.

Flyers 3, Rangers 2

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With the Flyers on the powerplay, Simmonds attempted a pass from the corner that was blocked. The puck bounced between all four Ranger penalty killers in such a spot that only Simmonds could get to the puck. Brian Boyle played the pass initially –considering the angle, it’s not necessarily a bad play– but Simmonds shot the puck instead, beating Hank five-hole.

Flyers 4, Rangers 2

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Philly iced it with some good forechecking, making the Rangers run around in their own zone. Eventually, Carl Hagelin didn’t catch Luke Schenn (off-screen) cutting in from the point, electing to crash the net for Scott Hartnell’s initial shot. The rebound went past Hags and right to Schenn for the rebound goal.

Fenwick Chart:

 

Courtesy of ExtraSkater.

Courtesy of ExtraSkater.

The Rangers and Flyers were pretty evenly matched in shot attempts throughout the game (note that the chart includes powerplay opportunities). When the Flyers took a two-goal lead in the third, they backed off and played prevent defense, which is why the Rangers have that sharp up-tick at the end. The Rangers got eight registered Fenwick events in that time, which gave them the 54.5% advantage (56.2% at even strength). Prior to that, the Rangers held just a 1 Fenwick-event advantage (46-45, 33-32 at even strength).

The Rangers lost the game, but they still own second place in the Metro Division, and still have the tiebreaker (ROW) on the Flyers. Losses happen, as do sloppy games. It only really becomes a concern if they string multiple losses and/or sloppy games together. They have not done that yet, and there’s no reason to believe they will at this moment. The Rangers have the best record in the NHL in 2014, and their strong play lately –with some blips of course– has been very satisfying to watch.

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