Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

The New York Rangers scored four straight goals, including three in the third period, en route to a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The win gives the Rangers a 3-0 record against the Flyers so far this season. The win also puts a lot of distance between the Rangers and Flyers in the standings (seven points) and in the tiebreaker, as the Rangers now own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves, but 12 of them came in the third period as the Rangers took and preserved the lead. Jesper Fast and J.T. Miller each had a goal and an assist, as the new fourth line (with Dominic Moore) put on a clinic. Derick Brassard scored a pair of goals, including the eventual game winner, and Kevin Klein contributed a pair of assists to continue his offensive streak.

On to the goals (no pictures, sorry):

Rangers 1, Flyers 0

With the Rangers on the powerplay after John Moore drew a double-minor high sticking penalty on Claude Giroux, the top powerplay unit (with Ryan McDonagh subbing for Dan Boyle) went to work. Derek Stepan recovered the puck following his own shanked shot and got the puck to Rick Nash behind the net while Brassard hung around the top of the near circle. Nash hit Brassard who one-timed it over Ray Emery’s glove for the early lead.

Flyers 1, Rangers 1

After the Rangers rush was stopped, the Flyers turned the puck up ice, with Jakub Voracek giving the puck to Brayden Schenn to gain the zone. Lee Stempniak was caught drifting on this one, following the puck to the strong side instead of covering the weak side point (Nicklas Grossman). Schenn was able to get the puck through to Grossman who picked the corner on Hank.

Flyers 2, Rangers 1

With the Flyers on the powerplay, the Flyers very potent top unit converted on some nice passing. After a failed diving effort by Rick Nash, the Rangers were caught out of position and exhausted. Eventually, Giroux got the puck to Brayden Schenn in the slot, who moved the puck to Voracek on the off-wing for the one-timer. This goal appeared to be a little weak, as it beat Hank short side, barely over his glove at his hip.

Rangers 2, Flyers 2

Fast’s first career goal came off a pair of Flyers turnovers in their own zone. The Rangers forced the first turnover which led to a shot attempt by Klein. That attempt was blocked, and Fast worked to recover the puck, work from the high slot to the top of the circle, and fire it high blocker over Emery.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

The Rangers capitalized on a good defensive play that led to a good 3-on-2 rush, with Kevin Hayes coming down the off-wing. Hayes hit Brassard through the slot, who ripped it over Mason for the lead.

Rangers 4, Flyers 2

Fast forced a turnover at the Rangers blue line, and then hit Miller streaking through the neutral zone. Miller drove wide, drawing Emery so far out of position that he dropped to butterfly with his inside leg on the outside post. Miller used his speed to beat Emery to the far post for the wraparound goal.

Rangers 5, Flyers 2

Empty netter for Lee Stempniak.

You can get the Shift/Fenwick charts here. Sorry for not being able to post them here, but I’m not using my computer at the moment. Worth noting that the Rangers absolutely dominated the puck possession game with a 57.5% Fenwick advantage.

The win gives the Rangers sole possession of third place in the Metropolitan Division, with Washington and New Jersey as the only teams within striking distance. The schedule is a bit wacky this week, with the Tampa Bay Lightning coming to town (again), followed by four days off before their next game. With all the mumps/flus going around, perhaps that’s for the best.

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