Rangers Win Wild One in Philly

The Rangers remain unbeaten after whipping the Flyers, 4-3, in a wild and wooly game last night. America’s most famous hockey mom dropped the first puck (no, not Scott Gomez’s mother), and before she could leave the ice, the Blueshirts had a 4-0 lead. This game had blowout written all over it, but it evolved into a nailbiting, rough-and-tumble Atlantic Division battle.

The Rangers jumped all over Philly in the first period. It was complete and absolute domination. Nikolai Zherdev got things going with his second goal of the year, with assists by Aaron Voros and Dan Girardi. Zherdev wasn’t done, though. Filling in on the fourth line while Colton Orr was in the box for fighting, the right wing made a nifty pass to Blair Betts, who banged in his first of the season. And then Fredrik Sjostrom got into the act with a highlight reel goal. He took a pass from Betts (two points for the center in one game - we may never see that again) in the corner, streaked behind the net and put it home with a beautiful wraparound. Michal Rozsival finished off the humiliation of Martin Biron with a power-play goal (the Rangers were one for six for the night). And Brandon Dubinsky even beat the snot out of Mike Richards. Was it the first time the young center has ever won a fight? He couldn’t have picked a better time and opponent.

In the second period, the Flyers finally woke up and realized this was their home opener. The tired Rangers, on the other hand, had already traveled around the world, played three games and were completing back-to-back contests. New York had lapses and letdowns the last two-thirds of the game, and it was left to Flyer killer Stephen Valiquette (5-1-1 lifetime against Philadelphia) to bail them out. Scott Hartnell scored a shorthanded goal, and Simon Gagne got one by Valiquette to close within two. But Mike Richards clearly interfered with Valiquette and the goal should have been disallowed. But referee Bobby Clarke let it stand. In the third, Philly had a golden opportunity to tie up the game when they had a five on three, but the Rangers killed it (their penalty killing is still perfect for the season), and that was the game.

The Blueshirts are 4-0 for the first time in 25 years. It’s not hard to say good things about a team that’s undefeated, but this version of the Rangers is easy to root for. They work hard, they’re young (the sixth youngest in the NHL) and there are no prima donnas or egos.

Just for kicks, let’s keep track of the Rangers fights for the season.

Bag-O’-Knuckles-O-Meter

Ryan Callahan: 1

Brandon Dubinsky: 1

Paul Mara: 1

Colton Orr: 1

Aaron Voros: 1