The Philadelphia Flyers (30-21-7) hosted the New York Rangers (39-16-3) in a Metropolitan Division showdown on Saturday afternoon.
Before the game, the Flyers announced that Travis Konecny would not suit up due to an upper-body injury. Tyson Foerster made his return to the lineup after missing the previous four games.
The Rangers were red hot coming into Saturday’s matinee, riding a nine-game winning streak. Picking up a 2-1 win at the Wells Fargo Center, they have now tied a franchise record with their 10th straight victory.
Here is how Saturday’s tilt unfolded:
Flyers vs Rangers
Both teams came out of the gate buzzing to start the first period. Just three minutes in, Nicolas Deslauriers and Matt Rempe dropped the gloves and provided the NHL’s fight of the year.
Deslauriers is a notorious NHL heavyweight, but Rempe has burst onto the enforcer scene after debuting in the Stadium Series last Sunday against the New York Islanders.
The Flyers went 1/1 on the penalty kill in the first, but 0/2 on the powerplay. Despite peppering Igor Shesterkin with 18 shots, the most Philadelphia has recorded in the first period this season, neither team could add to the scoreboard.
The Rangers had a jump on Philly to start the second period. Controlling time in the offensive zone, New York was creating critical chances but Sam Ersson continued to stand tall.
After being stoned by Ersson just moments prior, Alexis Lafrenière registered the first goal of the game 11:15 into the second. Entering the offensive zone and receiving a pass from Vincent Trocheck, Lafrenière sniped a shot five-hole on Ersson, 1-0. In a crucial rivalry game, it’s a shot that Ersson wishes he could get back.
The Rangers controlled the second period, but the Flyers equalized in the early stages of the third. Returning from injury, Foerster scored his 11th goal of the season, 1-1. Battling down low in the offensive zone, Scott Laughton fed a pass to Foerster while on a wraparound attempt. Shesterkin lost his footing in the crease and Foerster had the net all to himself.
It didn’t take long for the Rangers to take the lead again. Rempe, who energized the Rangers early in the first, potted his first career NHL goal, 2-1. Braden Schneider’s point shot deflected off Rempe who was screening Ersson and the puck found its way into the back of the net.
The Flyers put more pressure on Shesterkin in the final minutes of the game but weren’t able to find an equalizer. A shot from Sean Couturier hit the post in the dying seconds, and the Rangers left Philadelphia with another win in their bag.
The Flyers outshot the Rangers, 40-24, but Shesterkin was clutch.
Up Next
The Flyers are back in action tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Hockey Day in America. The puck drops from the PPG Paints Arena at 3:30 p.m.
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
