Easy Does It - FLYERS DEFEAT RANGERS 6-2

FLYERS - 6
RANGERS - 2

Keeping pace in the Atlantic Division looks like it's going to be quite the chore. Every division game - and every single game for that matter - gains more and more importance as the season draws to a close. Tonight's game against the Rangers was the 41st for the Orange and Black, which marks the official midway point of the season. With the Devils beating Carolina 4-1 and the Penguins beating Tampa Bay 4-1, the Flyers did well to keep up.

Gags, Gator, and Sami Kapanen all returned from their injuries tonight. These three are all leaders both on and off the ice, and it was great to see them suited up.
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FIRST PERIOD

Niittymaki stood between the pipes tonight for the third consecutive game. Coming off of stellar performances in each of those games, John Stevens would have been crazy not to continue with Niitty. Matt over at the 700 Level is chronicling what seems to be a new goalie controversy.

Despite making some nice saves early on, Niittymaki let in two goals to:


Ryan Hollweg. How on earth...never mind.

This looked like a doomed game - and watching the Devils and Pens pull ahead of their opponents, I was worried that the Flyers would soon be joining the Islanders in the cellar of the division.

SECOND PERIOD

The Flyers worked their magic in the 2nd period on Tuesday vs. Atlanta, and they were at it again tonight.

40 seconds into the period on a holdover PP from the 1st, Mike Knuble deflects a Mike Richards shot to put the Flyers on the board.


Knoobed.

Scoring on this powerplay was the turning point of the game - no doubt about it.

After some back-and-forth play, Jim Dowd beat out an icing call and fed a pass right out in front to Stefan Ruzicka, who put it in the back of the net 8:45 into the period. This was Ruzicka's first goal at the NHL level this season.

Before discussing anything else - Sir Topham Hatt, Mayor of Flyertown, would like to congratulate Jim Dowd on his hard work and gritty play this season. Unjustly waived by the Flyers last week, Dowd has poured his heart and soul into every second he is on the ice. Dowd has assisted on three important goals the past three games. Considering the players that are usually put on the fourth line along with Dowd, he does a heck of a job setting up plays and keeping things interesting.


"HATTS Off" to Jim Dowd!

With the game tied 2-2 10:42 into the 2nd, Scott Hartnell decided to wake up and play some hockey! Banking one off of Lundqvist, Hartnell put the Flyers up 3-2. What a disappointment he's been this year. Hopefully he keeps this up...

THIRD PERIOD

Carrying a 3-2 lead into the 3rd period, the Flyers needed to put the Broadway Blueshirts in their place - last place, preferably. On another carryover powerplay, Scott Hartnell nailed home his second of the night...


FLYERPOWER!

Scary defense by the Flyers after Hartnell's second goal. If they want to get anywhere this season, they have to stop giving up a ton of shots and learn how to get the puck out of their zone. With skilled instructors like Murray and McIlhargey, it baffles me why this continues to be a problem. Let's iron this out in practice, boys.


This happens every game regardless of who the goalie is, and it needs to stop.
(Captain Noah thanks BoxTrev for the photoshop!)

But the hockey gods smiled on the Flyers tonight, as the Orange and Black survived the Ranger offensive and went up 5-2 on Scott Hartnell's third of the night...


HAT TRICK!

Congratulations to Scott Hartnell on his first hat trick as a Flyer. Hopefully this is the first of many.

Downie assisted on Hartnell's 1st and 3rd goals. Take that, TSN.

MSG started to empty out after the Hartnell hat trick, but the game was far from over. Anything can happen in the "new NHL". I'm glad the crowd at the Wachovia Center doesn't give up this easily on our Flyers...

Gagne decided to give the Ranger faithful that stuck around some entertainment...


Welcome back Gags!

6-2 is your final score, folks.


"Goodnight and good hockey." - Gene Hart

NEXT GAME:
Bruins vs. Flyers
Sat. 1/12/08
Wachovia Center
1:00pm

Photos courtesy of Yahoo images.