Fast Start Fades as Flyers Complete Comeback in Overtime
With the Olympics now behind us, the regular season continues, and what better way to return than a night of hockey in Madison Square Garden? As expected, Rangers Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller received a standing ovation for their performance in Milan, coming back as champions. The New York Rangers returned to hockey against the Philadelphia Flyers, looking to continue their first steps in their retool. As for the Philadelphia Flyers, they find themselves not so different from the Rangers at this point of the season, but are far from out of the race, where every win is massive. Though this match won't make much of a difference standing-wise, a divisional matchup should never be ignored. Fortunately for New York, tonight marked the return of Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and Conor Sheary, some luck at last for a team that needs all the help it can get at home. The return of such key players, unfortunately, wouldn't be enough, as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime at MSG.
The puck dropped, and the Rangers' luck at home seemed not to have changed at all as Philadelphia's goaltender Samuel Ersson robbed Adam Fox to start the game. Both teams had their chances to start the game, but the goaltenders stood tall. Offensive zone time piled up for the Rangers to start this one, a good sign for a team looking to get a good return before the deadline. Ten minutes through, and most of it belonged to New York, and it rewarded them with an early lead. From the top of the circle, a simple throw to the net by Sam Carrick found its way in the net after a whiff by Ersson made it 1-0 Rangers. In need of a response, Philadelphia tested Shesterkin a bit, but the Russian goaltender found himself in position, as he is most always.
As the second half of the first period went on, New York would find themselves on the power play after a boarding penalty by Garnet Hathaway. Soon after the penalty, fans would find some more energy as Carrick and Hathaway went on to drop the gloves. On a power play without Artemi Panarin, fans could see the difference, as the power play went on to be quite ineffective, with no shots. The period came to a close, and the Rangers remained in front 1-0 from a goal the Philadelphia goaltender no doubt wanted back, but still plenty of game left to turn this game upside down.
Period number two was underway, and New York went on to double their lead from the youngsters. A beautiful feed from Will Cuylle and Alexis Lafreniere buried it from the front of the goal. In a season where you're looking to transition to retooling, you want your youngsters to get on the board; goals like these are exactly what this team needs. Rangers made their presence known to start the period; now it was the Flyers' turn, as they went on the power play after a cross-checking penalty by Brennan Othmann. Coming back from Milan being perfect on the kill, Trocheck hopped on the ice and continued his perfection as the Flyers failed to convert, keeping the Blueshirts up 2-0. Moments later, the Flyers found themselves back on the advantage, only this time they converted.
Similar to Lafreniere's goal, a beautiful setup by Noah Cates to Matvei Michkov, who buried it in front to make it 2-1. Philadelphia was back in the game and undoubtedly had the momentum, but it would soon be crushed as Trevor Zegras went to the penalty box after catching Cuylle up high long after the whistle. The momentum would soon return as a good chance for the Flyers, as a shorthanded chance led to Trocheck taking an interference penalty. Now back on the power play, Philadelphia moved the puck beautifully, but was unable to beat Shesterkin a second time. The second period came to a close, and the Flyers were now the team establishing their presence, with 20 remaining to get one past Shesterkin.
The final 20 minutes were underway, and the Flyers wasted no time making this a tie game at MSG. A quick two-on-one rush led to Trevor Zegres picking the corner and tying this game at two. The Rangers now found themselves in desperate need to respond, or they'd soon find themselves trailing in the blink of an eye. As the whistles went away for a time, Philadelphia would soon find their moment to take their first lead as Lafreniere went in the box for slashing. However, the score would remain tied as they hit the midway point of the third period. On the brink of yet another game at MSG going to overtime, New York needed to figure something out to survive this one. The Flyers would yet again find themselves on the power play as Vladislav Gavrikov hit Hathaway up high behind the play.
As the final minutes were underway, the Flyers would end regulation, taking a goaltender interference penalty as Michkov tumbled into Shesterkin. More extra hockey at Madison Square Garden as the Rangers and Flyers took this game to overtime, with New York on the powerplay. As the puck dropped, New York failed to convert, and overtime went on, all evened up, but not for long. A scramble in front of the net led to Mitchkov taking advantage of a tired group of Blueshirts and sliding one in under Shesterkin, completing the comeback for the Flyers in overtime.
As they claim the extra point, Philadelphia continues to claw their way back into the playoff standings. As for the Rangers, they continue to sink even further down than last in the Eastern Conference as they continue to improve their lottery odds. As the deadline approaches, it would seem the Rangers' main priority should most definitely be keeping Trocheck healthy. As another game at Madison Square Garden turns sour, Philadelphia heads home to face the Boston Bruins, hoping to climb further in their race for the postseason.
