NEW YORK - Doesn't happen often, but now Henrik Lundqvist knows how it feels.
While Steve Mason did all the hard work fielding multiple scoring chances by the Rangers through 40 minutes, Lundqvist pretty much had the night off.
Until the third period. That's when the Flyers awoke from their offensive slumber to stun the Rangers, 2-0, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Mason logged his first shutout this season with 34 saves. The victory is his 94th in a Flyers jersey, placing him third on the franchise's all-time list behind only Ron Hextall (240) and Bernie Parent (232).
Wayne Simmonds' 20th goal - a power-play marker - broke a scoreless tie early that period. Jakub Voracek soon later had a deflection off Michael Grabner to make it 2-0.
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Mason kept the Flyers in this game, start to finish. His teammates could hardly manage a decent scoring chance every so many minutes while the Rangers had chances every shift until the third period.
The Rangers had won 11 of the previous 12 games against the Flyers at MSG, dating back to March 6, 2011.
This starts the final back-to-back set of games this month for the Flyers. Eight of their 13 games in January come in back-to-backs.
Notable goals
Simmonds scored on a backhander in the slot off a Brayden Schenn rebound at 6:09 of the third period for a 1-0 lead.
Goalie report
Lundqvist came into the game 2-0 this season against the Flyers with a 2.00 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. Mason got lucky in the first period when Grabner's shot off a partial breakaway dinged the crossbar where it meets the post. In the second period, Mason cleared a puck right onto Rick Nash's stick but got lucky again with a wide shot attempt.
Power play
The Flyers didn't work hard enough to earn one until the third period when Simmonds scored his 10th power-play goal of the season. They were 1 for 3.
Penalty kill
The Flyers killed off three Rangers power plays.
Injuries
Sean Couturier fell on his right shoulder early in the game but seemed OK.
Scratches
Defenseman Michael Del Zotto (bruised leg); defenseman Nick Schultz and forward Dale Weise were both healthy.
Up next
This is the 13th of 18 back-to-back sets for the Flyers. Dave Hakstol's club will host Toronto on Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center, then begin a 3½-day break for the NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles.