Another gripping tug-of-war between Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and the Flyers’ Steve Mason unfolded Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center.
Skating, fighting, bizarre penalties and blown calls all were part of a thrilling 3-2 Rangers shootout win.
Mats Zuccarello scored the shootout winner (see highlights).
The Flyers came into play with a three-game win streak and were just four points behind New Jersey in the wild-card hunt.
With his team trailing 2-1, the Rangers' Keith Yandle forced overtime with a point drive goal with 12.9 second left in regulation.
Forward Wayne Simmonds was ejected midway into the first period for “intent to injure” during an altercation with Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Shayne Gostisbehere’s power-play goal was the lone goal for more than two periods before Chris Kreider deflected a rising shot to tie the game early in the third period.
Notable goals
Ryan White’s shot from the left circle with Dan Boyle as a screen broke the 1-1 tie at 5:46 of the third period. White replaced Simmonds on the first power-play unit in this game, as well.
Notable saves
How about Lundqvist on Jakub Voracek’s backhander on a breakaway late in the first period? To add salt to that wound, Matt Read muffed the follow shot on an empty net.
Notable blown calls
Simmonds was ejected for “intent to injure” on his forearm shiver to McDonagh’s face after the latter high-sticked and slashed him along the boards. Simmonds' action did not warrant a match penalty. To compound that, the Flyers didn’t put a man in the box but made an illegal substitution off the bench of Voracek once the penalty expired even though there was no stoppage of play. Voracek had a breakaway and nearly scored. Since there was no man in the box, the Flyers should have continued shorthanded until there was a whistle.
Goalie report
Mason was very sharp and numerous tough saves. His stop during a penalty kill of Yandle’s point drive was pivotal as he was partially screened.
Power play
Gostisbehere’s point shot in the second period broke a scoreless tie. The Flyers were 1 for 4. The Rangers were 0 for 2.
Penalty kill
Mason was again a pivotal part of their PK but the Flyers' units were sharp in this one for the third consecutive game.
Ghost watch
Gostisbehere now has 26 points — moving him into a fifth-place tie among the league’s rookie scoring leaders. His nine goals lead all rookie defensemen.
Injuries
McDonagh may have suffered a concussion from Simmonds’ forearm shiver.
Fights
Draw between Read and Oscar Lindberg in the second period.
Scratches
Goalie Michal Neuvirth (possible groin), forwards Sean Couturier (right foot in walking boot), Jordan Weal (healthy) and R.J. Umberger (healthy) and defenseman Brandon Manning (healthy) were all scratched.
Up next
Back-to-back games for the Flyers as they headed to Washington after the game to face the Capitals on Sunday afternoon.