Tarasenko has 3 points, Rangers rally for OT victory against Flyers

PHILADELPHIA --Vladimir Tarasenko scored at 2:32 of overtime and had two assists for the New York Rangers in a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday.

Tarasenko skated through the middle of the ice, cut to the left face-off circle and fired a shot past Carter Hart. It was his third goal in 10 games since being acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 9, and it was his first multipoint game with New York.
"I feel like the more I hang out around the guys, the more I talk with them, the more I understand what's going on on the ice, where is everybody going," Tarasenko said.
Chris Kreider tied it in the third period, and Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves for the Rangers (35-17-9), who are expected to have forward Patrick Kane in the lineup when they host the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
"I'm sure the Garden will be pretty excited," New York captain Jacob Trouba said. "I think we're all looking forward to getting him mixed in with the team, finally meeting him and getting things underway."

Owen Tippett and Scott Laughton scored for the Flyers (23-28-11), who have lost four in a row (0-3-1) and eight of nine (1-6-2). Hart made 22 saves.
"I thought we forechecked way better, supported pucks way better," Laughton said. "Got back on our heels a little bit in the third, but it's what happens when you're leading. They've got some good players and they had a tipped goal [by Kreider] and they finish in overtime.
"[We have to] keep moving forward. Thought it was a way better game from our group, and [we] go from here."
The Rangers took a 1-0 lead at 2:51 of the first period when Mika Zibanejad one-timed a feed from Tarasenko on a power play.
Tippett tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal at 15:05. New York defenseman Adam Fox tried clearing the puck out of the left corner, but his cross-zone pass went to Tippett, who beat Shesterkin from the bottom of the right circle.
Tippett had four shots on goal and led all forwards with 27:40 of ice time.
"I think if he hits the net that he has maybe one or two more," Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said. "But you could sense ... he was free, he was playing. He was looking at me wanting to play more."
Laughton gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead at 11:16 of the second period. He jarred a puck loose behind the net and it rolled to Kevin Hayes. Laughton then took a return pass, skated from below the goal line into the slot and beat Shesterkin with a shot over the goalie's right shoulder.
Kreider tied it 2-2 at 10:33 of the third when he redirected Tarasenko's shot from just inside the blue line.

The Rangers were without defensemen Ryan Lindgren (upper body) and K'Andre Miller (suspension). They played 11 forwards and five defensemen because of salary cap issues.
"I think it's just finding ways to win when you're not at your best," Trouba said. "A lot of moving parts, switching positions, just kind of filling in lines. Didn't play our best, but [we found] a way to come back and keep grinding, and to get a win in overtime is nice."
NOTES: It was Tarasenko's first game-winner and overtime goal this season. His 11 career overtime goals are the most among all active players on the Rangers roster; Kane has nine. … Zibanejad scored his 16th goal against the Flyers, his most against any NHL team. It was his 39th goal in March since the 2017-18 season, tied with Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for second-most in the month, behind Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (40). ... Laughton set an NHL career high with his 14th goal of the season.