Steve Mason’s Return Helps Philadelphia Flyers Even Series With New York Rangers

Apr 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie

(35) makes a save against New York Rangers center

(16) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Rangers, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Ray Emery held the fort for the most part in the first three games, but if the Philadelphia Flyers are going to advance deep into the post-season, it is going to be on the shoulders of netminder Steve Mason to get them there.

Mason made his first start of the playoffs after recovering from a late season head injury, and he was the difference as the Flyers drew even with the New York Ranges at two games apiece.

The Flyers goalie made 37 saves against the Rangers in game 4, settling down after allowing the opening goal just over 4 minutes in on a wrap-around by Dominic Moore.  That was all the Rangers would get, and the Flyers mustered just enough offense against Henrik Lundqvist to get Mason his first career playoff win.

Matt Read tied it up less than 4 minutes after Moore had given the Rangers the lead, picking up the puck after a shot from Jason Akeson went wide and came out the other side from behind the net and firing it past a surprised Lundqvist. Brayden Schenn‘s shot from the point on a Flyers power play was nicely deflected to the top corner 7:22 into the second period by Jakub Voracek to put the Flyers ahead, and that was all the scoring as the teams head back to Madison Square Garden even with each team splitting their games at home.  That game will go Sunday at noon.