Emery shuts down Rangers in Flyers’ 2-0 win

New York Rangers' Sean Avery, right, fights with Philadelphia Flyers' Daniel Carcillo in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum
PHILADELPHIA — Ray Emery made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season, and James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards scored in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers 2-0 on Thursday night.
Making his third straight start since returning from abdominal surgery, Emery cooled off a team that had scored 14 goals in consecutive wins.
The resurgent Flyers have moved into the Eastern Conference playoff picture by going 10-3-1 since losing to Florida on Dec. 21.
Despite their recent success, the Rangers have been shutout three times in the last six games. They were 6-2-3 since the Flyers dominated them in a 6-0 victory on Dec. 30.
A trip to Philly usually results in victory for the Rangers. They’re 14-3-1 at the Wachovia Center since March 27, 2004.
Van Riemsdyk gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal late in the first period. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped van Riemsdyk’s first shot, but he scored on a backhander off the rebound.
Richards scored a power-play goal with 3 seconds left in the second period to make it 2-0. His slap shot from just inside the left faceoff circle went through a screen, hit defenseman Marc Staal’s skate and trickled in.
A feisty second period featured three fights. Flyers enforcer Dan Carcillo floored Rangers star Marian Gaborik with a hard uppercut early.
Philadelphia’s Scott Hartnell knocked Sean Avery down with two solid rights to the face several minutes later. Avery got the better of Carcillo in the final minute of the period.
Avery tried to goad Richards into a fight with 7 seconds left in the game, but Philadelphia’s captain kept his cool.
NOTES: Emery has 10 career shutouts. His previous one was against Carolina in Philadelphia’s season opener. ... The Flyers are 12-10-2 since Peter Laviolette replaced John Stevens as coach. ... Richards’ goal was his 20th, giving him the team lead. ... Lundqvist fell to 7-2 in Philly. ... The Flyers are 2-0 during their six-game homestand.
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