When you take a look at the match-up between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s not hard to figure out who has the upper hand in a seven game series. Alain Vigneault’s group of tightly-knit defensive style players, backed up by one of the best goaltenders in the world in Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers should be the favorite to pull ahead and eliminate the Flyers. After three games, we have come to that exact result; a 2-1 series lead for the Rangers.
I made the call that Henrik Lundqvist would be the key behind the Rangers success but after game one, it didn’t matter — Lundqvist faced just 15 shots in game one, as the Rangers took game one by a score of 4-1. The strongest point to the Blueshirts was their suffocating, in-your-face defensive core. Craig Berube’s squad threw everything at the Rangers defense, including the kitchen sink, but they were not able to penetrate the offensive zone as much as they had wished. The special teams also took their share of glory as the line of Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis and Rick Nash scored not once but twice in a span of 47 seconds, during a four minute powerplay, a double minor handed to Jason Akeson.
In game two, the offense of the Rangers continued. St. Louis struck first to open the scoring and Benoit Pouliot added a powerplay goal to put New York up 2-0 before the first period was half-way done. Over before it started, right? Nope. Jakub Voracek strikes before the first period expired and Jason Akeson redeems himself just one game later by tying it, on the powerplay. Luke Schenn added a goal and Wayne Simmonds with an empty netter and finally, since the 2011 season, the Flyers managed to win in Madison Square Garden and tie the series at one a piece. If there was any indication of a Flyers offense squad gaining confidence, it was in game two. They used their body to gain position in the slot of the offensive zone and established good puck presence, a complete 180 from game one. Heading back to Philly, they had all the momentum.
Or so it would seem. Stepan and St. Louis score their second goals of the playoffs to give the Rangers a two goal lead for a second game in a row and while Mark Streit did reduce the lead to one with his first of the post-season, the Rangers never relinquished the lead in the hockey game. Dan Girardi gave his team a two goal lead in the second period and, of all people, DAN CARCILLO put the game away for good. He scored the fourth goal for New York and in the process, got flipped off by a pleasant member of the Flyers faithful. Lundqvist also turned his game back around, stopping 27 of 28 shots and Ray Emery, who came up huge for Philly in game two, got yanked in favor of a returning Steve Mason.
What do the Rangers need?
Consistency. Their powerplay is up and down, their defense has been out-standing for the most part and Lundqvist has been his old, reliable self. Game two sticks out like a sore thumb though, and the Rangers team will need to remain focused and put forward a 100% effort over 60 minutes. After scoring three goals in the two first games with the man advantage, New York’s powerplay cooled off. That needs to change.
What do the Flyers need?
Goaltending. Ray Emery was SOLID in game two. In games one and three? Eh, not so much. Steve Mason is expected to start for game four, so that should give the Flyers a major boost. Claude Giroux’s two assists so far is just not good enough. Wayne Simmonds’ one goal, not enough. Voracek’s one goal, not enough. Where is the top line production so far? It’s been close to non-existent. If the Flyers want to reach the second round, it is absolutely crucial to find different ways to get pucks behind Lundqvist. Get in his face, crash and bang pucks in. Perimeter shots will not win you a series against Lundqvist.
Game four goes down tonight in Philadelphia, where the Flyers will look to even the series up at two on their home ice, avoiding going back to the Big Apple down three games to one and on the brink of elimination. Especially when you consider that despite their win in game two, they have a terrible time in Madison Square Garden.
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