The Rangers had found themselves in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two seasons tied at two games a piece, and both times the Rangers lost game five at home. But, 2014 would prove to be different as the Flyers were unable to muster much offense for much of the game. Despite a late run by the Flyers, the Rangers would take game five from the Flyers.
The Flyers got the first power play just after three minutes on a Carl Hagelin plenalty but failed to capitalize, not even getting off a single shot. Hagelin would give the Flyers a second chance with a cross checking penalty four minutes later. The results were similar: the Flyers just managed two shots on goal.
The Rangers would strike first with 8:07 remaining. Mark Staal would take advantage of a weak defensive alignment to catch Mason off guard with a goal right through his legs. Staal had not scored a goal in his last 32 games.
Almost immediately, Vinny Lecavalier would be hit with a holding penalty, to give the Rangers their first power play of the game. However, the Rangers were unable to get a shot on goal and it remained 1-0 Rangers, through the end of the period.
The Flyers managed eight shots during the first period and the Rangers six.
In the second, Andrew MacDonald would give the Rangers a power play with a a hold against Rick Nash. Within the power play, the Rangers would miss out on a goal that they should have had and the Flyers would catch a lucky break. Both Mason and the refs thought that Mason had made the save, but the puck was lying just behind Mason's leg. The referee would blow the whistle just seconds before the Rangers shot the puck into the net.
Since the whistle was blown, no goal. But the Rangers would get one soon thereafter. Brad Richards would add his second goal of the playoffs with 11:53 remaning in the second.
The Flyers would almost immediately end up on the power play, thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from Kevin Klein. The Flyers failed to capitalize, but almost immediately after the Rangers were back to full strength, Carl Hagelin would take his third penalty of the day. But after taking one shot, the power play would end without the Flyers scoring.
As the Rangers returned to full strength, Matt Read would hit the penalty box for roughing. It was a penalty of pure frustration, but one the Flyers could not afford. But, the Flyers defense would respond with a penalty kill and ride out Read's two minutes.
The Rangers could not score during the power play, but shortly after the Rangers would add their third goal. A Braydon Coburn pass into Hal Gill's feet caused Gill to turn to get the puck, which opened up the puck and a clear path to the net for Dominic Moore, who fired the puck past Mason to make it 3-0 Rangers.
Goaltender interference by Anton Stralman would give the Flyers one more power play to close out the second period with a power play. The Flyers finally would take advantage of a power play as Vinny Lecavalier would fire a shot that redirected off of Kevin Klein's stick and into the net to make 3-1 with just 33 seconds remaining in the second period. That score would stand as the period came to a close.
The Flyers and Rangers each had eight shots in the second period.
The third period would start out pretty quietly. With no penalties and no goals for most of the third period, the Flyers would pull Steve Mason with three minutes left to play.
With 1:29 to play, Claude Girioux would score his first goal of the series. Mason once again headed back to the bench, before coming back in and out at the the 1:00 mark. After a Rangers icing with 44 seconds left, the Flyers got back to work with Mason out of the net.
However, Brian Boyle would find the empty net to make it 4-2 Rangers. That would put an end to the Flyers' late run and give the Rangers game 5.
The Rangers and the Flyers head back to Philadelphia for game six.
Penalty Summary:
Carl Hagelin, NYR – 3:17, 1st – slashing
Carl Hagelin, NYR – 7:28, 1st – cross checking
Vinny Lecavalier, PHL – 12:03 1st – holding
Andrew MacDonald, PHL – 0:38, 2nd – holding
Kevin Klein, NYR – 8:26, 2nd – unsportsmanlike conduct
Carl Hagelin, NYR – 10:39, 2nd – hooking
Matt Read, PHL – 2nd 13:01 – roughing
Anton Stralman, NYR – 2nd 18:16 – goaltender interference
Scoring Summary:
Mark Staal, NYR – 11:53, 1st – Derek Stepan (A), Marty St. Louis (A)
Brad Richards, NYR – 8:07, 2nd – J.T. Miller (A), Carl Hagelin (A)
Dominic Moore, NYR – 16:20, 2nd – unassisted
Vinny Lecavalier, PHL – 19:27, 2nd – Mark Streit (A), Andrew MacDonald (A)
Claude Girioux, PHL – 18:31, 3rd – Kimmo Timmonen (A), Wayne Simmonds (A)
Brian Boyle, NYR – 19:45, 3rd – Dan Girardi (A), Dominic Moore (A)
