It’s happened before.
Opposing goalies have an outstanding game in net but still come on the short end against the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist. Every now and then, they best him.
Saturday’s contest at the Wells Fargo Center between the Flyers and Rangers was hotly contested, as Steve Mason more than equaled his counterpart in net during the Flyers' 3-2 shootout win. Both teams deserved points and Mason deserved the victory, too.
Claude Giroux got a game winner in the shootout. Sam Gagner also scored in the shootout.
The game saw Michael Raffl collapse on the Flyers' bench in the second period after colliding with a Ranger moments earlier on the ice (see story).
The Flyers were 5-4 against the Rangers in Philadelphia over the last four years.
NHL
Coming into the game, Lundqvist was 14-3-0 against the Flyers since March 6, 2011, with a 1.82 goals-against average, a .939 save percentage and two shutouts.
Spinorama save
Haven’t seen Mason do this very often, but he had a spinorama save on Rangers rookie Oscar Lindberg midway into the first period that was huge because the Flyers scored off transition on Mark Streit’s one-timer from the point for a 1-0 lead.
Notable goals
The Rangers' tying goal in the first period was something else. Defenseman Keith Yandle backhanded the puck toward the net for a Lindberg deflection, and in mid-air J.T. Miller picks off the puck to put it past a helpless Mason. Skill aside, the entire sequence began because of a Brayden Schenn turnover.
Scoring chances
Late in the first period, Wayne Simmonds had a prime scoring chance on a two-on-one coming out of the penalty box with Claude Giroux, but Lundqvist made a pad stop.
Drought ends
Scott Laughton broke a 21-game goalless streak with a wrister from the left circle at 2:07 of the second period for his first goal of the season, which briefly gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
Challenge
The Rangers challenged a goalie interference call to Jarret Stoll that denied a goal, but lost the challenge. Jakub Voracek appeared to push Stoll into Mason in which case the goal should have counted. Upon review, the call of no goal on the ice was confirmed. It was the first challenge during a Flyers game this season.
Goalie report
Mason had 37 saves and Lundqvist had 46. Both goalies deserved a W in this game.
Power play
Not many of them. Derick Brassard’s power-play goal for New York nicked off Ryan White’s skate and changed directions on Mason. That made it a 2-2 game in the second period.
Penalty kill
The Flyers were 2 for 3 and very aggressive on the kill. The Rangers killed off both of their penalties.
Injuries
Raffl accidentally collied with Stoll and took an elbow to the jaw in the second period. He collapsed while seated on the bench and had to be escorted up the tunnel.
White was injured after being struck with a puck, but he did return.
Scratches
Forwards Sean Couturier (possible concussion), Vinny Lecavalier (healthy); defenseman Luke Schenn (healthy); goaltender Michael Neuvirth (possible concussion).
Up next
The Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Danny Briere’s retirement ceremony will take place before the game.