PHILADELPHIA — The number with the most relevance as applies to the Rangers’ effort to close out the Flyers in Game 6 of the first round on Tuesday is not 11, as in the 11 straight games the Blueshirts have lost dating back to 2009 when leading a playoff series.
It is instead four, as in the total of four five-on-five goals to which the Rangers have limited Philadelphia through the first five games of this bland opening-round playoff series…unless, that is, the number is one, representing the Flyers’ one and only five-on-five goal in the last three games, that scored by Matt Read on the put-back of a ricochet off the back wall in Game 4.
The Blueshirts’ ability to sustain that five-on-five success will influence the outcome more than the mind-set of a team that actually has been pretty darn good closing out series, going 3-1 the last two years with the opportunity to clinch, and 5-4 throughout Henrik Lundqvist’s career, three of the defeats coming in succession in the 2009 Water Bottle Series in which the Blueshirts blew a 3-1 lead to the Capitals.
“I think a large part of our success defensively has come with our puck possession game in the other end, the way we’ve been able to cycle, and kind of make our offense into our defense,” said Dan Girardi, whose team has outscored Philly 11-4 playing five-on-five. “We’ve spent a lot of time in their zone.”
“And when [the Flyers] do get out, our forwards have done a great job with back pressure through the neutral zone and our end, so we’re not giving them very many chances. We’ve been able to get the puck out pretty quickly and cleanly most of the time.”
The Flyers have attacked more like a skill team than as a bunch of thugs trying to ram the goaltender on plays around the crease. They go hard to the net, but they like to stretch and spread the Rangers with a variety of back-door plays and they’ve demonstrated a penchant for aiming first shots at sticks for deflections.
The Rangers have been able to limit the rush-chances. Claude Giroux, who got his first goal of the series on Sunday after Steve Mason had been pulled for the extra attacker, has been bottled up.
The Blueshirts have also been able to limit time and space for Vincent Lecavalier, who has emerged as Philadelphia’s second-line center.
Winger Jake Voracek’s speed has been an issue, and Jason Akeson has been tough to handle, but the Rangers have done an outstanding job of minimizing the damage when the Flyers have been able to generate momentum within a game.
Lundqvist, who will make his 72nd straight playoff start for the Rangers on Tuesday, leads the tournament with a .969 five-on-five save percentage.
“A big part of the game for us is handling surges,” Girardi said. “We’ve been able to make a play or do something in order to get momentum back quickly. I think we’ve done a good job of handling the mood shifts and surges.”
The Rangers have maintained their composure through the series, keeping matters on an even keel both on the ice and in the room. This is a poised and resourceful group that goes about its business in methodical fashion, even as creativity is encouraged within their discipline.
“Obviously it’s important to set the tone right away and take charge,” Lundqvist said. “You don’t want to sit back, but at the same time it’s important to be under control all over the ice and pay attention to all the little details.
“I don’t think we have to make changes. We have to execute. The playoffs are a mind game, you have to keep your emotions under control,” said The King. “This is a great challenge but it’s also a great opportunity.
“You have to have fun with it and enjoy the opportunity. Every game now is fun.”
It wouldn’t hurt to end the fun in this series at six games.