New York Rangers down Philadelphia Flyers 5-3, clinch Eastern Conference -NHL Update
New York can finally tick off another to-do for the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season as Rangers clinched the Eastern Conference top spot downing Philadelphia Flyers, 5-3, Tuesday night, April 3, 2012, at the sold-out Wells Fargo Center
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Teams like Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, which are both members of the Atlantic Division were always a case of worry for New York, but now, Rangers can breathe easily knowing they have finally clinched the East.
"I love this, what a season," said Rangers star forward, Brad Richards. "This is a great time of year. Yes, it's going to be a grind, it always is, but we have a good team here, and we have the right pieces in place. It's up to us."
Henrik Lundqvist was playing brilliantly in the net for New York as he picked up a career best 39th victory this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
"He was unbelievable," Rangers coach, John Tortorella, said of his veteran goalie. "I'm glad Hank got a bunch of work. I think that's something we want Hank to have. That's the best I've seen him play in a few weeks here. … It was a good game for him. He
just looked confident and it's the most confident I've seen him in a few weeks."
Rangers broke loose right in the opening period as Ryan McDonagh kicked off a shooting spree followed by Brian Boyle. Artem Anisimov and captain, Ryan Callahan, added two more on the same power play only 36 seconds apart in a scoring and fighting filled
period.
New York was 4-0 entering the second period but Philadelphia kept trying as Jakub Voracek added their first with another Rangers’ goal from Marian Gaborik along with Wayne Simmonds on two power plays in the final minute.
Scott Hartnell scored the final goal of the match with less than 10 minutes to go in round-three and being down by two against New York, winning was an impossible to achieve dream for Philadelphia now.
Rangers have the next against Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday while Philadelphia Flyers are set to host Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
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