Flyers-Rangers Recap
Some fun facts about Game 2 of the series, won by the Flyers.
GAME 2 RECAP
Score: Flyers 4, Rangers 2
How it happened: The Flyers
overcame an early, two-goal
deficit with goals by Jake Voracek, Luke Schenn, Jason Akeson and Wayne Simmonds to prevent an 0-2 series hole. The Flyers have lost 14 of 17 postseason series when they're down 0-2, which is a mountain they were able to avoid.
What it means: There will be a Game 5. The victory also snapped an often-ugly, nine-game Flyers losing streak at Madison Square Garden.
Heroes: Ray Emery was terrific throughout with 31 saves. He gave up a couple of early goals, but blanked the Rangers the remaining 51-plus minutes. Luke Schenn picked a heckuva time for his first-ever playoff goal, which ended up being the game-winner.
Goalie decision: Flyers coach Craig Berube, to the surprise of no one, would not commit to a goalie for the next game. Regular starter Steve Mason (upper-body injury) skated yesterday, but his availability for tomorrow's Game 3 is uncertain. Hard to imagine Emery being benched at this point, regardless.
Cool hands Luke: Let the record show that Luke Schenn has more playoff goals this year than James van Riemsdyk. The Flyers acquired Schenn from Toronto for JVR two summers ago and got a lot of heat this year as van Riemsdyk posted 30 goals. Alas, the Leafs did not make the playoffs.
Shaky early: Three first-period penalties - two in the offensive zone, another in the neutral zone - gave the Rangers momentum. The Blueshirts cashed in on Sean Couturier's careless roughing
penalty.
Up next: Game 3 is tomorrow. The Flyers have won three in a row against the Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center and four of five. Please note the 8 p.m. start.
Did you know? Yesterday was just the second time in 15 games the Flyers won at Madison Square
Garden without a goal from Claude Giroux. The Flyers captain did have an assist and was plus-2.
- Ed Barkowitz