Flyers aim to cut down on penalties

The New York Rangers have had 12 power-play opportunities in the first two games of their playoff series with the Flyers. Craig Berube's team has had only four power plays.

"We took too many penalties but the guys did a good job killing them, including Ray [Emery]," Berube said Monday after the Flyers' optional practice at the Skate Zone in Vorhees. "We have to do a better job not taking so many penalties. . . . Guys battled back, played hard and won the hockey game."

The Rangers have scored three power-play goals in the series but were just 1 for 6 Sunday in a 4-2 loss at Madison Square Garden. The Flyers are 2 for 4 on power plays, with one being an empty-net goal.

Game 3 will be Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center and Emery will start in goal again in place of the injured Steve Mason.

"It's something we definitely have to fix," forward Vinny Lecavalier said of the penalty problem. "Some penalties we definitely could have avoided, and it could make a difference. We all know we have to be more disciplined."

The Flyers played shorthanded 316 times during the regular season, the second-highest total in the NHL behind Ottawa.

"For two games, that is too many penalties and it is something we talked about," defenseman Andrew MacDonald said. "Guys realize the importance and you can't keep going to the box because eventually it is going to bite you."

"We have had a good penalty kill all year," Emery said. "We had a tough stretch in Game 1 when they got two in those four minutes."

The Rangers scored two power-play goals in 47 seconds Thursday after Jason Akeson was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking.

Berube was asked if the team can continue winning while allowing six power plays per game.

"Let's say we don't want to give them six power plays a game - let's leave it at that," he said. "We have got to be better."