New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Derick Brassard scored two goals, Henrik
Lundqvist made 21 saves and the New York Rangers posted a 5-2 win over the
Philadelphia Flyers to sweep a home-and-home series.
Brassard’s second goal broke a 2-2 tie and was one of three scored by the
Rangers in the third period.
Jesper Fast netted his first NHL goal and added an assist for the Rangers, who
have won 10 straight regular-season games against the Flyers played at Madison
Square Garden.
After being shut out by Cam Talbot in each of the teams’ first two
meetings this season, the Flyers were able to finally light the lamp, but
they suffered their fourth consecutive loss and eighth in the last nine games.
Ray Emery allowed four goals on 34 shots in defeat.
Brassard buried a feed from Kevin Hayes on a 3-on-2 rush to give the Rangers a
3-2 lead at 3:06 of the third.
J.T. Miller scored on a wraparound to make it 4-2 at 9:54, and Lee Stempniak
added an empty-net goal with 23.9 seconds left.
The Flyers got into early penalty trouble, as Claude Giroux received a double
minor for a high sticking while in the offensive zone just a minute after the
game’s opening faceoff.
On the ensuing power play, Brassard opened the scoring at 2:50 off a Rick Nash
pass following a failed clearing attempt by Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn.
The Flyers broke through against the Rangers with 6:14 left in the first
period. Nicklas Grossmann collected a loose puck and beat Lundqvist high on
the blocker side with a shot from the right circle.
Jakub Voracek gave Philadelphia the lead with a power-play goal at 8:45 of the
second period, but Fast tied it at 11:38.
Game Notes
The Rangers announced before Saturday’s game that forward Tanner Glass has
been diagnosed with the mumps and will be isolated from the team for several
days. New York also played without defenseman Dan Boyle (flu-like symptoms)
and forward Chris Kreider (personal) … The Flyers began a five-game road
trip.
