Philadelphia Flyers: Back in the New York Groove

By Tim Reilly | Jan 26, 2017

Jan 25, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Steve Mason (35) makes a blocker save against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

A successful two-game road trip through New York City has gotten the Philadelphia Flyers back on track.

It took awhile, but the Philadelphia Flyers have finally gotten their groove back.

The Orange and Black were outplayed for long stretches during their Wednesday night tilt against the New York Rangers. In fact, an objective observer would likely conclude that the wrong team prevailed when the final horn sounded. Nevertheless, the Flyers relied on a superb effort from goaltender Steve Mason to mitigate the Rangers’ advantage in even-strength play. Mason turned aside 34 shots on his way to a 2-0 shutout win.

Mason’s positioning in net was excellent. His ability to move quickly from post to post served him well, particularly when he turned aside Rangers sniper Rick Nash in the first period. The Flyers netminder also benefited from some good fortune, as the Rangers struck iron twice during the contest. Nash also had two prime opportunities to score but was unable to lift the puck over Mason.

The Flyers should accept any breaks that come their way, especially at Madison Square Garden. The venerable New York arena has proven a less-than-hospitable environment for the club in recent years, thanks in no small part to the exceptional play of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Entering the game, Lundqvist boasted a 33-13-4 record against the Flyers with a .920 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average.

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“King Henrik,” as he is known to Rangers fans, has been a veritable brick wall throughout his career against the Philadelphia Flyers. It seems only fair that the Rangers were given a taste of their own medicine on Wednesday night.

Time and again, the Rangers beat the Flyers to the puck and generated quality chances. Every time, Mason had the answer.

Mason’s inconsistent play this season has amplified the voices of his critics in Philadelphia. Nonetheless, it remains an undisputed truth that the team has been at its best when Mason has been on his game. As Steve Mason goes, so go the fortunes of the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2016-17 campaign.

Eventually, the Flyers solved the human Rubik’s Cube that stands between the pipes for the Rangers. In the 3rd period, the Flyers were awarded their first power play of the night when Blueshirts winger Matt Puempel was sent to the penalty box for tripping. The Orange and Black wasted little time converting the opportunity into a goal. Flyers All-Star Wayne Simmonds scored off a scramble, lifting the puck over Lundqvist’s shoulder for the crucial first goal of the game.

Later in the period, Jake Voracek added to the lead when he banked in a goal off of Rangers forward Michael Grabner. On this night, it was indeed better to be lucky than good.

The victory for the Flyers gave them a sweep in their two-game swing through New York City. The first leg of the trip, a 3-2 overtime victory against a surging Islanders squad, allowed the Flyers to get back on track after a horrid stretch.

Next: Philadelphia Flyers: Buying or Selling at Trade Deadline?

This squad still has a long way to go. Yet, a victory over a contending team like the Rangers should provide a much-needed injection of confidence ahead of a difficult game on Thursday against the rapidly improving Toronto Maple Leafs.

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