New York Rangers Best Philadelphia Flyers, Playoff Race Down to One Game

Mark RitterApr 10, 2010

In what many suspected would emulate a tight checking playoff game, the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers played an offensively spirited game last night in New York, with the Rangers emerging as the victors and in control of their playoff destiny.

The Rangers, who were facing playoff elimination if they had lost in regulation, pulled out the win by a score of 4-3, with goals from Chris Drury (14), tough-guy Jody Shelly (1), Brandon Dubinsky (20), with the winner going to sniper Marian Gaborik (42).

The Flyers got a tremendous performance from their captain Mike Richards as he posted two goals, including the opener and game-tying third goal.

In the end, Richards’ efforts were not enough, and now the Flyers sit tied with the Rangers at 86 points apiece.

What it amounts to is this: If the Flyers can beat the Rangers in regulation or a shoot-out, they are in the playoffs. Lose to the Rangers in similar fashion, and they are out.

The rematch is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 PM ET, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

The Flyers could have eliminated the Rangers with a regulation win last night. Sadly, the Flyers will now have to beat a Rangers squad that is 7-3-1 in their past 10 games and looking every bit like an upset team.

Jeff Carter, who had been out of the Flyers' lineup since March 21 when he injured his foot during a match against the Atlanta Thrashers, played a total of 16:16 last night, taking 24 shifts, registering three shots, and winning 66.7 percent of the faceoffs he took. Carter was held off the scoreboard, and by all accounts, was a little rusty, but he did put in a solid effort.

Carter is expected to be back in the Flyers lineup Sunday afternoon, and like every member of the Orange and Black, he will have to bring his “A-game” if the Flyers are to be successful.

While no team ever wants to go into a one-game elimination, things could be worse for the Flyers given their poor play (3-6-1) in their past 10. They could be on the outside looking in already, so the Flyers will take their shot and run with it.

Clearly, with Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers' net, they will come into the game with a huge advantage. Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher looked shaky last night, struggling to find the puck and having difficulty moving it all night.

Clearly, Boucher will have to step up his play (as will all of the Flyers' stars) if they are to beat a very motivated Rangers squad.