Flyers season ends with loss to Rangers

The familiar problems that hurt the Flyers in Games 1, 3 and 5 came back to haunt them in the final game the first-round series.

Defensive mistakes, turnovers and a lack of chances allowed the Rangers to secure the series win with a 2-1 victory at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

A strategic first period from both teams featured some quality chances as the two teams skated to a scoreless tie through 20 minutes. 

Steve Mason continued his stellar show of goaltending throughout the second with some acrobatic saves. That said, he couldn't keep the Rangers off the board.

Leaky defense allowed the Rangers to strike first at 3:06 of the second, as Dan Carcillo beat Mason on a quick pass in front. Midway through the period, at 11:46, Benoit Pouliot added the second Rangers goal of the period. The Rangers out-shot the Flyers in the second period, 18-5. The Flyers faced a 2-0 deficit with 20 minutes left. 

The Flyers set a franchise record this season with 11 come-from-behind wins. Could they get one more on the biggest stage?

It looked that way at the start, as Jason Akeson beat Henrik Lundqvist with a rising wrister at 4:32. That gave the Flyers some jump in an effort to tie the game.

But Lundqvist stood tall from there as the Rangers regrouped. The Flyers last-gasp effort were nullified by the veteran goalie and the Rangers held on for the win to advance to the second round and face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the process, the Flyers dominance from Game 6 was short-lived and did not carry over to the deciding game of the season. Despite a 1-7 start, the Flyers managed to make the playoffs and nearly advance into the second round. All in all, not bad, but still a disappointing end to a night where anything was possible.

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