Rangers subdue Flyers in Game 5, nab 3-2 series lead
It was a dominant, repressive effort from the New York Rangers on Sunday, as the Blueshirts held firm at Madison Square Garden and pushed the Philadelphia Flyers to the brink of elimination with a 4-2 victory.
It was a simple formula for New York, who collectively bought in with a lock-down defensive effort and took full advantage of opportunism in the Flyers zone to cruise, optically, to a rather comfortable victory.
Star performer
It was a selfless and balanced performance from Alain Vigneault's fleet of skaters, with only Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Martin St. Louis logging more than 20 minutes of ice, but Dominic Moore was particularly effective in a checking capacity. He won 86% of his faceoffs (over 70% of his zone starts were in the defensive end), notched the Rangers third goal, and hustled down the ice to beat Kimmo Timonen to the puck in the waning moments to set up Brian Boyle for the empty-netter.
When the Rangers go, however, it always starts at the back end. Henrik Lundqvist stopped everything he was able to see, steering aside 24 shots to receive an honorable mention for anchoring a dominant defensive effort.
Turning point
Whereas many teams wilt to adversity, the Rangers were headstrong Sunday.
After St. Louis appeared to have shovelled in New York's second goal, referee Justin St. Pierre provided Steve Mason and the Flyers with a quick whistle:
Yet, after a short-lived sulk, the Rangers jumped back on the horse and into the Flyers zone to capture a two-goal advantage six minutes later as Brad Richards scored his second of the post-season.
Highlight reel
It was hardly a show-stopping matinee on Broadway, but Moore combined coordination, speed, and a quick shot to embarrass Hal Gill and push the Ranger lead to three with a strong individual effort.
Quote of the Night
Flyers forward Scott Hartnell suggested that the Rangers chomped their chances with a strong penalty kill:
Hartnell says two squandered PPs early came back to "bite us in the ass."
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) April 27, 2014
Series at a Glance
The Flyers face a must-win Tuesday, with Game 7 (if necessary) scheduled for Wednesday on a back-to-back.
Game 1 Recap: Rangers 4, Flyers 1
Game 2 Recap: Flyers 4, Rangers 2
Game 3 Recap: Rangers 4, Flyers 1
Game 4 Recap: Flyers 2, Rangers 1
Game 6: Tuesday, April 29 TBD