New York Daily News

Flyers snap Isles’ streak with OT win

- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

said Miller, who buried a Mats Zuccarello feed on a two-on-zero for his 16th goal of the season. “They always make it hard on us, Detroit does. It’s always fun and tough to play in this building.”

Miller has a goal in four of his last five games and 12 points over his last 10 appearance­s.

Lundqvist was truly tested very few times, his most notable save with his head off a quick shot in front from fellow Swede Henrik Zetterberg, a shot which Lundqvist says might hurt in practice but not in games. “You’ve got so much adrenaline, you’re just happy to make a save,” he said.

He’s now stopped 44 of 46 shots over the last two games, finding his stride and regaining his confidence after allowing 16 goals on 76 shots in his previous three games. “Halfway through the game I think you understand that it might be one mistake that’s gonna be the difference here tonight, so you just have to be solid,” Lundqvist said. “For me personally it’s nice to get two games here where, sure I’ve changed my mind-set a little bit and tried to be a little bit better, but I think the biggest change is just the way we play in front of me with the structure and not giving up the big chances right in front of me.”

That has been crucial indeed, the Rangers’ being more responsibl­e in their own end by defending the front of the net more diligently, taking away more passes and blocking shots.

“You’ve got to take a step back sometimes,” Lundqvist said. “I know I can be better, and the last two with the help from the guys, I feel like I’ve been better.”

HAYES HURT: Kevin Hayes was ruled out during the second intermissi­on with a lower-body injury. THE Philadelph­ia Flyers desperatel­y needed a victory, especially on the road, and they got it thanks to their captain.

Claude Giroux scored at 3:20 of overtime as the Flyers rallied to beat the Islanders, 3-2, Sunday night in Brooklyn to end the Isles’ three-game winning streak. It was Philadelph­ia’s first road win since Dec. 14 at Colorado, ending a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2) away from home.

Giroux’s 11th goal of the season came on a pass from defenseman Shayne Gostibeher­e from behind the net, giving the Flyers the mo- rale-building victory after trailing 2-0. Philadelph­ia was 3-9-3 in its previous 15 since a 10-game streak.

“No question we needed a win,” Flyers coach Dave Haksol said. “I don’t think guys were getting too far off center but probably the biggest thing was the outlook we had, coming in and playing focused.”

Wayne Simmonds scored late in the second period to pull the Flyers within one and Ivan Provorov tied it early in the third. Steve Mason finished with 36 saves.

“We were playing well and had a lot of chances and they weren’t winning going in,” Giroux said. “When Wayne got that goal, it was a relief on the bench. I never saw such a celebratio­n for a first goal.”

Nick Leddy and Alan Quine scored for the Islanders, and Thomas Greiss stopped 44 shots.

Before Giroux’s winner, Greiss denied Provorov on a point-blank attempt. Mason matched that save, denying Islanders captain John Tavares on a breakaway after Jason Chimera fed him the puck.

The Islanders had two powerplay chances midway through the third period without converting.

“We seemed sluggish and our execution wasn’t as good as it was our last two games,” said Tavares, who leads the Islanders with 19 goals and 36 points but was held off the scoresheet. “Today wasn’t our best. We’ll rest up and get ready for a tough couple of games heading into the All-Star break.”

The Flyers had their chance with the man advantage when Cal Clutterbuc­k was called for tripping with 2:53 left but also failed to score. The Flyers held a 42-34 shots advantage heading into overtime.

“We made bounces go our way,” said Simmonds. “As long as you’re working hard, generally things catch up with you.”

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 ?? AP ?? Flyers’ Claude Giroux raises stick after his OT game-winner sticks it to Islanders, who see 3-game winning streak end in disappoint­ment.
AP Flyers’ Claude Giroux raises stick after his OT game-winner sticks it to Islanders, who see 3-game winning streak end in disappoint­ment.

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