Rangers 3, Flyers 1
NEW YORK -- Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist came within 9.7 seconds of his second consecutive shutout as the New York Rangers stymied the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
The Rangers (32-18-6) are 5-0-1 in their past six games and 8-2-1 in their past 11.
New York center Derick Brassard scored in the first period, and center Derek Stepan added two goals in the third period. Defenseman Dan Girardi and right winger Mats Zuccarello had two assists apiece.
Lundqvist stopped 21 of 22 shots.
Flyers left winger Brayden Schenn spoiled the shutout bid with a six-on-four goal in the final seconds.
Philadelphia goaltender Steve Mason made 27 saves.
The Flyers (24-21-10) have one win in their past six games (1-3-2).
This was the first meeting between the teams since a Feb. 6 contest that featured Flyers right winger Wayne Simmonds concussing Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh with a left hand after McDonagh cross checked the back of Simmonds' head.
As was forecasted, Simmonds fought 39 seconds into the game, dropping the gloves with defenseman Dylan McIlrath. Twenty seconds later, Flyers center Ryan White fought Rangers left winger Tanner Glass to complete the retribution-filled first minute.
Brassard made the Flyers pay on the scoreboard, beating Mason on a wraparound at 5:08 to make it 1-0. The teams were playing four-on-four when Brassard skated around the Flyers defenseman Mark Streit and won the race to the far post for his 19th goal of the season.
The Flyers nearly evened the score during a second-period power play, but Schenn's shot from the slot hit the post behind Lundqvist, who was screened by defenseman Dan Boyle.
Stepan gave the Rangers breathing room with a goal at 10:34 of the third period. Zuccarello found Stepan alone at the left post with a backhand pass through traffic, and Stepan buried the puck into a gaping net to make it 2-0.
Stepan added his 12th on a power play three minutes later to extend the lead to 3-0. He scored from a nearly identical spot, this time snapping a shot under the crossbar after a pass from Zuccarello.
NOTES: With Flyers D Michael Del Zotto (upper body) sidelined indefinitely, D Andrew MacDonald was recalled from the AHL to take his place. MacDonald, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract in 2014, has played in one NHL game this season. ... Flyers C Sean Couturier has not played since Feb. 4 due to a lower-body injury. ... Rangers D Ryan McDonagh (concussion) missed his fourth straight game. Coach Alain Vigneault said there was a chance he could return Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. ... Rangers LW Rick Nash (bone bruise) missed his ninth straight game and will be out at least another week.