Rangers manage a point, but lose more ground to Flyers in OT

The Rangers managed a point in this one, but couldn’t get the second in an OT loss to the Flyers tonight. The Rangers were without Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Fox, arguably their two of their three best skaters this season. They also didn’t have a morning skate, so they hadn’t been on the ice since Saturday afternoon. All of this had the makings of a blowout.

And it sure looked like that early. The Rangers were listless in the first period, giving up two goals and looking like they weren’t even going to put up a fight. But this game wasn’t like others. They came back and made it a game. There are a lot of negative things to look at, but this is the biggest positive. The Rangers didn’t give up. After so many games where they looked defeated, they crawled back into it and got a point.

That said, one point doesn’t do much when you’re chasing the team that got two.

Flyers 1, Rangers 0 – What was that on defense?

I have no idea what K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba were doing on this one. Joel Farabee got in behind Miller after he went for the hit in the neutral zone. He did not stop the puck from getting to Farabee, which started the 2-on-1. Trouba went to Farabee instead of playing the 2-on-1 properly. That opened James van Riemsdyk for the centering pass.

Flyers 2, Rangers 0 – Bad angle goal

This is a bad angle goal that Keith Kinkaid likely wants back.

Flyers 2, Rangers 1 – Tarmo Time

Two passes over the center line. It was a bad angle, but it’s still something that makes the goalie move. Carter Hart was not set when Artemi Panarin one-timed the back end of the give-and-go with Tarmo Reunanen.

Rangers 2, Flyers 2 – Delayed offsides breakdown

The Flyers didn’t want to touch the puck because of the delayed offsides. That starts it all, as Brendan Smith had tons of time to find an outlet. For some reason, the Flyers forgot about Panarin on the ice, who got behind them and was sprung by Smith for a 2-on-0.5. It wasn’t really a 2-on-0, but not really a 2-on-1. What a pass from Panarin and finish by Colin Blackwell.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2 – The beautiful game

Five crisp passes. Julien Gauthier with the speed and the hands. Hockey is a beautiful game.

Flyers 3, Rangers 3 – Perfect shot

Tap your stick to Joel Farabee here. This is not a high danger chance, and he just placed a perfect shot.

Rangers 4, Flyers 3 – The 4th line contributes

Brett Howden with a strong move to gain the zone. He was strong on the puck and when challenged, took the defender down with him. He then helped regain possession. That gave Brendan Lemieux enough time to pick up the loose puck and find Kevin Rooney in the soft coverage.

Flyers 4, Rangers 4 – Set play on the powerplay

This was a very nice set play, all based on timing. Trouba wasn’t in a bad spot, covering the man in front. That was just a good play. The broadcast mentioned that Kinkaid should have poked the puck away.

Flyers 5, Rangers 4 – What an awful outlet

Kinkaid got undressed by Voracek here. But the replay doesn’t show his awful outlet to Panarin that Voracek picked off. It was real bad. This OT winner sent the Flyers home with an extra point in their lead over the Rangers.

Shot Heatmap – Track meet

The first period was a clunker. But it’s hard to argue that the Rangers didn’t have more chances in the final 40 minutes. They dominated the second period, and they had a track meet in the third period. This was actually a pretty fun game.

Skater Results – Not bad

This is an interesting look at the skaters. Mostly dull and fun for quantity and quality, but it seemed like a track meet, didn’t it? This could have been a lot worse after the first period. But again, they came back. Let’s focus on that. This could have been another Rangers mess and Flyers win, without the OT.

The Rangers really needed two points to stay playoff relevant. They didn’t get it. But the playoffs were always a best case scenario for the Blueshirts. Given how the season has gone, the fact they aren’t in dead last is impressive. The last two periods were superb. Imagine if they had Fox and Buchnevich. Hopefully they will on Wednesday, but it doesn’t look like it.

Charts from NaturalStatTrick and Evolving-Hockey.