New York -- Simon Gagne's power play goal in the second period was not enough to save the Flyers from losing to the Rangers, 4-1.
New York grabbed a 1-0 edge in the first period for their second straight game against the Flyers. Sean Avery got his stick blade on Derek Morris' shot in front and tipped the puck under the crossbar, popping up the water bottle that sat on top of the net with 2 minutes left. He went into his trademark arm-pumping glide in celebration.
Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn was ejected in the closing seconds of the middle period after high-sticking Nik Antropov near center ice, drawing a major penalty. New York scored only once on the advantage, but coupled with Andrew Alberts' charging infraction on Avery, Philadelphia was short-handed for the first 7 minutes of the third as it tried to rally.
Avery has four goals in seven games since rejoining New York, topping the three he had in 27 games earlier this season with Dallas.
One day after Martin Biron made 39 saves in beating the Rangers 4-2 in Philadelphia, he gave way to backup Antero Niittymaki, who stopped 35 shots.
Antropov gave New York its second one-goal lead 8:27 into the middle period when he snapped a shot in off the post from the right circle.
Gagne tied it for the Flyers 4:32 into the second period. With his back to the net in between the circles, Gagne deflected Mike Richards' shot from the right point past Lundqvist.
New York, which began the day eighth in the Eastern Conference, moved within four points of fourth-place Philadelphia.
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The teams have two meetings remaining.
Notes: Philadelphia is 7-4-3 in the second half of back-to-back games. New York had dropped five straight back ends and improved to 7-5-1. ... The Flyers' have the NHL's seventh-best penalty-killing unit.
