Giroux returns as Flyers down Rangers

The NHL season starts in just eight days and Tuesday night presented the final chance to see the Flyers on home ice before their home opener on Oct. 9. The final preseason game featured a welcome sight.

Claude Giroux returned to the lineup against the Rangers, two games ahead of schedule. With most of the players that will likely make up the roster in a week, the Flyers managed to put their recent struggles on the road behind them in a 4-2 win over the Rangers at Wells Fargo Center.

The Rangers would strike for the game's first goal, as Carl Hagelin burried a short-handed goal at 4:47. 

The Flyers eventually netted the equalizer midway through the first, as a shot by Sean Couturier deflected past Cam Talbot to even the score.

The Flyers would take the lead at 7:46 of the second period. Nick Grossmann threw a shot on goal that sailed through a screen of players to beat Talbot. Six minutes later, Matt Read set up Wayne Simmonds for a tip-in to extend the lead to two.

Anthony Duclair scored for the second time in as many nights just 36 seconds into the third to cut the Flyers lead to one.

A late power-play presented the Flyers with a chance to ice the game. With Talbot pulled, Read scored into an empty net to seal the game.

Ray Emery was solid in net for the Flyers, stopping 24 of 26 shots. Talbot stopped 26 of 29 shots in the loss.

Giroux played 16:53 of the game, taking two shots and registering two hits. Read had two assists in addition to his goal. Simmonds also had an assist for a two-point game. Mark Streit also had two assists.

The Flyers close out the preseason on Thursday night in Washington against the Capitals. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m.

Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.