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Simmonds' hat trick helps Flyers force Game 7 vs. Rangers

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Wayne Simmonds recorded his first career playoff hat trick as the Philadelphia Flyers forced Game 7 in their first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers with a 5-2 victory in Game 6 on Tuesday.

Claude Giroux added a goal and two assists and Erik Gustafsson also scored for Philadelphia, while Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello replied for the Rangers. Game 7 will be played Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.

Star Performer

Flyers goalie Steve Mason was at his best, stopping 34 shots and nearly recording his first career playoff shutout in a game largely controlled by New York.

[Source: ExtraSkater.com]

Mason made a series of highlight-reel saves as Philadelphia built a 4-0 lead before Hagelin spoiled the shutout bid with 6:34 remaining in the third period.

Turning Point

Hagelin's goal gave the Rangers some life and coach Alain Vigneault pulled goaltender Cam Talbot - who played the third period in place of starter Henrik Lundqvist - with around five minutes remaining in the game in an attempt to keep the pressure on Philadelphia. The plan backfired when Giroux restored the Flyers' four-goal lead with an empty-net goal at 15:49.

Highlight Reel

Simmonds completed his hat trick with this redirection of a Jakub Voracek shot on a power play in the second period:

[Courtesy NHL.com]

Mason's positioning was solid all game, and on the few occasions he was caught out of the net, he recovered in time to turn aside any rebounds, as this sequence from the third period demonstrates:

Erik Gustafsson was not happy when he was called for high-sticking in the second period, but he got a gift when he came out of the penalty box, collecting a loose puck on a breakaway and chipping it past Lundqvist, who allowed four goals on 23 shots before being pulled:

[Courtesy NHL.com]

Quote of the night

Simmonds offered a simple explanation for Philadelphia's Game 6 triumph:

Series at a Glance

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 5 Recap: Rangers 4, Flyers 2

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