"We know they're big games against Philly," Rangers center Brad Richards said. "It's not that we think we have something that is a magic weapon against them. We have a great goalie, we have a good team, and we're just coming in and playing."
For New York, which extended its division lead on the Flyers to six points, goalie Henrik Lundqvist turned away 31 shots. Ryan Callahan spurred the offense, notching his second career hat trick (both against the Flyers).
"They play the same way every night," defenseman Kimmo Timonen said of New York. "And if there's a breakdown, their goalie makes the save. They somehow get the job done."
The Rangers (35-13-5) came into the contest ranked No. 27 in the league on the power play. This time, they made good on three of their first four five-on-four chances. It's the third time this season, including twice at home, that the Flyers (31-17-7) have surrendered three power-play goals in a game.
"Our [penalty killing] has to be better," center Claude Giroux said. "We have to do a better job of protecting [goalie Sergei Bobrovsky]. We have to learn from it."
Said coach Peter Laviolette: "We need to be better there. I'm not going to make any excuses. It's got to get better."
Bobrovsky, making his second straight start, stopped 21 shots. Both of New York's third-period tallies came at even strength.
"I thought [Bobrovsky] did a good job," Laviolette said. "But their power play was dangerous. They moved the puck well."
Ahead by 3-2 heading into the final period, the Rangers gained insurance on Artem Anisimov's goal with 13 minutes, 32 seconds left to play. Callahan's third goal came with 9:35 remaining.
