Rangers at Flyers
The New York Rangers are clinging to the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference. With a two-point lead over Winnipeg, the visiting Rangers can improve their standing on Tuesday, when they vie for their 12th win in 13 meetings with the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Dan Girardi scored 3:11 into overtime and Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 29 shots for his first shutout this season and 44th career in the Rangers' 1-0 victory over the cross-town rival Islanders on Saturday.
Scott Hartnell may have saved the Flyers' season - well, for the time being. Hartnell registered his seventh career hat trick as Philadelphia matched a season-high scoring output and snapped a four-game losing streak with a 7-3 triumph over Montreal on Tuesday. The offensive explosion was a welcome one for the Flyers, who scored just three goals during their slide. Despite the win, Philadelphia sits seven points behind the Rangers - with six games remaining on its schedule.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, RDS, CSN (Philadelphia)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (21-16-4): Lundqvist is certainly in postseason form. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has yielded two goals or fewer in 12 of his last 13 starts as New York vies for a postseason berth. "He's been on the top of his game," coach John Tortorella said. "There's no coincidence that we are 5-1-1. He's been really good." Rick Nash also can be included in that discussion as he recorded five goals and two assists in that same stretch.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (18-21-3): Philadelphia continues to lose defensemen as Kent Huskins suffered a concussion on Tuesday on a hit to the head by Montreal's Ryan White. Fellow blue-liner Kurtis Foster stepped up for Huskins and challenged White after the exchange. Coach Peter Laviolette continues to show faith in Luke Schenn, who logged a season-high 33:25 of ice time against the Canadiens. The effort was nearly five minutes more than his previous highest total in 2013.
OVERTIME
1. Flyers RW Jakub Voracek scored on Tuesday to match his career high of 18 goals, which was set last season - in 78 games.
2. Nash collected two goals and an assist in New York's 5-2 win over Philadelphia on March 26.
3. Flyers G Ilya Bryzgalov is just 2-8-0 lifetime versus the Rangers. Backup Steve Mason won his lone career decision against New York.