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New York Rangers Take Series Lead To Philadelphia

By Jared Crozier

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Apr 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) during a fight in front of the Ranger net in the 2nd period of game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Dominic Moore had a goal and an assist and Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves on 26 shots to help the New York Rangers take a 3-2 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Rangers scored the first three goals of the game with Marc Staal, Brad Richards and Moore giving them the lead.  Vincent Lecavalier got the Flyers on the board with a late 2nd period power play goal to give them hope heading into the third.

The Rangers hung onto that 2 goal lead until late in the period, when Claude Giroux got the Flyers within 1 with Steve Mason on the bench and about 90 seconds left to play.  The comeback would not be completed as Brian Boyle finished it off with 15 seconds left into an empty net.

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Mason faced just 21 shots and allowed 3 goals on the Rangers’ first 12 shots, but Alain Vigneault stuck with him instead of turning to Ray Emery.

Carl Hagelin recorded an assist, but his more important role might have been getting under the skin of the Flyers.  He pestered top players like Giroux and Scott Hartnell to the point where he took 3 minor penalties in doing so.  The Rangers were fortunate enough to kill them off, making it an effective strategy.  If they had scored on one of more of those penalties, Hagelin would be no doubt wearing the goat horns.

The Flyers face a daunting task of having to beat Lundqvist two straight times if they are going to come back to win the series, beginning with Game 6 Tuesday night.

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