Flyers Take Down Rangers, Again

March 26th, 2008 by James

Richards Breakaway

In less than a week, the Philadelphia Flyers have played 3 games against teams from New York, one against the Islanders and two against the Rangers, and have 3 wins.

It was just this past Friday night when the Flyers beat the Rangers at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in a shootout. Tonight, the show moved to New York and Madison Square Garden for the final game between these two rivals this season.

The Rangers came out and got an early goal from their captain Jaromir Jagr. They followed it up by continued attack, but Martin Biron stood his ground. A few penalties by the Flyers resulted in Power Play opportunities for the Rangers, but the Flyers would have nothing of it. The Rangers got nothing from their Power Play tonight.

As the second period started, the Flyers finally decided to start attacking, but New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was up to the task. The game became very tight, and it was the goaltenders who kept their teams in the game.

With only a goal in the first period and none in the second people were having flashbacks of Friday night, but with a slight role reversal. This time the Rangers holding a 1 goal lead going into the third period of a competitive game.

In the third period it was the tag team of Vinny Prospal and Danny Briere that scored for the Flyers and tied the game. It was a great play with Briere passing to Prospal who quickly returned the puck all the while getting Lundqvist moving and leaving the net open for Briere.

60 minutes proved to be not enough time to solve this contest. In the overtime session, a turnover by Sean Avery proved to be costly. The errant pass went right to the stick of Jason Smith who quickly sent it up to Mike Richards who was able to beat both Avery and Marek Malik and put the puck behind Lundqvist.

Briere’s goal tonight was his 30th of the season, making two Flyers with 30 goals this season. Richard’s goal tonight adds to his team leading 71 points ( 27 goals, 44 assists). He also leads the team in assists. It was also his first career overtime winning goal.

Highlights
Game Summary
Box Score

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