Rangers vs Flyers

NEW YORK -- During the regular season, it was Derek Stepan who was the primary facilitator when Rick Nash found the back of the net for the New York Rangers, assisting on 13 of Nash's team-leading 26 goals.

But in a sudden role reversal, Nash has become the passer and Stepan the scorer on a top line that has led New York to a 2-1 lead in its Eastern Conference First Round series against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Nash leads the Rangers with four assists and Stepan is tied for the team lead with two goals entering Game 4 against the Flyers on Friday at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET; CNBC, TSN, RDS, MSG, CSN-PH). That unlikely shift has allowed each player to move on from their respective disappointments in the postseason last year.

VOORHEES, N.J. -- Philadelphia Flyers coach Craig Berube has given his defensemen the green light to jump into the play in the offensive zone any time they see the opportunity.

But for Luke Schenn, that light always has been a blinking yellow.

In the first three games of the Flyers' Eastern Conference First Round series against the New York Rangers, however, Schenn only has seen green.

Schenn scored the game-winning goal in the Flyers' 4-2 victory in Game 2, driving to the net during a delayed penalty to bang in the rebound of an Adam Hall shot. He had a team-best five shots on goal in Game 3, and his eight shots in the first three games of the series are tied with rookie forward Jason Akeson for first on the team.

VOORHEES, N.J. -- In October, with the Philadelphia Flyers sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, captain Claude Giroux proclaimed his team would make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

He made another prediction after his team lost to the New York Rangers in Game 3 to fall behind 2-1 in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round series, and reiterated it after an optional practice Wednesday.

"I personally think we did a lot of good things [in Game 3], and if we play the same way we're going to win here Friday," Giroux said. "If we play our game, if we play the right way, we're going to win. We just have to make sure we play like that."

The Flyers will host the Rangers in Game 4 of the series Friday (7 p.m. ET; CNBC, RDS, TSN, MSG, CSN-PH).

PHILADELPHIA -- Before the Philadelphia Flyers' skilled shooters can even think about beating New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, they'll have to figure out a way to outsmart the first line of defense and get pucks on the net.

The Rangers put on a shot-blocking clinic Tuesday night in a 4-1 victory in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference First Round series at Wells Fargo Center. The Rangers grabbed a 2-1 lead in this best-of-7 series, which resumes Friday at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN, CNBC, MSG, CSN-PH).

The Rangers, who totaled 29 blocked shots in Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden, were credited with 28 blocks on Tuesday. Lundqvist made 31 saves to earn his 32nd career playoff victory in 70 games.

PHILADELPHIA -- Steve Mason may reclaim his role as starting goaltender when the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round series at Wells Fargo Center.

Mason saw his first action of the series Tuesday when he entered Game 3 with 7:15 remaining in the third period after starter Ray Emery yielded his fourth goal in a 4-1 loss. It was his first appearance since sustaining an upper-body injury April 12 against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Pittsburgh forward Jayson Megna pushed Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald into the 25-year-old goalie.

The win gives the Rangers a 2-1 lead in this best-of-7 Stanley Cup Playoff series. Game 4 is Friday night (7 p.m. ET; RDS,TSN,CNBC,MSG,CSN-PH).

NEW YORK -- Early in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers, the New York Rangers appeared on their way to capturing a 2-0 series lead in their Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series. But as the game wore on, they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities and the Flyers made the most of their own, scoring four unanswered goals to win 4-2 and tie the series 1-1 before Game 3 on Tuesday in Philadelphia (8 p.m. ET; CNBC, TSN2, MSG, CSN-PH).

It was a startling turnaround considering the Rangers led 2-0 8:22 into the game. They scored two goals on their first four shots and a power play that scored twice in their 4-1 victory in Game 1 got another goal after the Flyers began taking undisciplined penalties.

But the Rangers faltered on the man advantage after the first period, going 1-for-6 for the game.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- On paper, the Eastern Conference First Round series between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers looked like a classic matchup. Until the opening faceoff Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the series appeared to hinge on how New York's speed would fare against Philadelphia's aggressive forecheck.

The Rangers showed plenty of speed and skill while outshooting the Flyers 36-15 in a 4-1 victory in Game 1. But they also showed they are more than just a finesse team.

Philadelphia came out with its signature physicality, but as the game wore on, it was New York that became the aggressor. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Rangers had made a major statement by showing their grit along with a willingness to go blow for blow against one of the NHL's toughest teams.