Captain gets hat trick as reign over Flyers continues

2011-12 Game No. 53; Road Game No. 28	Rangers' Record: 35-13-5
VIDEO: COMPLETE CALLAHAN HAT TRICK
• Full Highlights | Tortorella Postgame		• Gaborik, Callahan, Lundqvist Postgame

GAME RECAP Associated Press Ryan Callahan scored three goals, and the Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers. Marian Gaborik and Artem Anisimov also had goals for the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who broke out of their power-play funk and improved to 5-0 against the Flyers this season -- including a win in the Winter Classic. It was a rare display on special teams that catapulted the Rangers to their second victory over Philadelphia in seven days. They had a season-high three goals on the power play. The Rangers increased their lead to six points over the Flyers in the Atlantic Division and have two games in hand. The Rangers entered with the fourth-worst power-play unit in the NHL, converting just 13.4 percent of their chances. They failed to score on their first man-advantage, but then got going when Callahan scored in the first period. New York capitalized on three straight opportunities with the man advantage. Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds had Philadelphia's goals. The Flyers have lost four of five, and are losing their hold on fourth place in the East. Henrik Lundqvist had 31 saves in another outstanding effort against a team that can't seem to beat him. The Rangers, who earned a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season last year and lost to Washington in the first round, have a comfortable grip on first place in the conference. They have a five-point lead over the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. John Tortorella, who led Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup title in 2004, has the Rangers playing like the Lightning did that season. They are 18-5-1 since mid-December and appear poised to make a serious run at this year's Stanley Cup championship. • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Rangers' power play notched a season-high, three goals in seven attempts (10:20 toal icetime), while their penalty kill held the Flyers scoreless in four shorthanded situations (8:00). The last time the Rangers tallied three or more power play goals in a single game was in a 6-3 win on Mar. 15, 2011, vs. the Islanders (3-for-5 on the power play). The Blueshirts improved to 18-1-2 in games when tallying a power play goal, and they are 25-6-2 when not allowing a power play goal. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Callahan 2. Gaborik 3. Richards

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THE BIGGER PICTURE This was another shining example of why the Rangers appear well on their way to a conference championship and perhaps home ice throughout the playoffs. No team wins it all without great leadership and goaltending. Both were definitely on display here.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Girardi (24:16) Shots -- Callahan (7) Hits -- Boyle (7) Blocks -- McDonagh (5) Takeaways -- Stepan, Callahan (2) Faceoffs -- Boyle (23)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP AT PHILADELPHIA
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp	John Mitchell	Stu Bickel

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Anton Stralman
Marc Staal	Steve Eminger
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, McDonagh, Girardi, Dubinsky, Boyle, Prust.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky	John Mitchell	Marian Gaborik

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Brad Richards
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Michael Del Zotto