The Rangers beat the Flyers on Monday night - their second preseason victory in 4 nights - not only winning in fairly convincing fashion, but more importantly, winning via the contribution of several young players who are going to need to step up in Derek Stepan's absence.
Nineteen-year-old Anthony Duclair opened the scoring just over 5 minutes in for the Rangers. The former third-round draft pick in 2013 was able to get around Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn on a rush up the left wing and lasered a shot past goalie Steve Mason.
"I was at the end of my shift. I just wanted to get a puck on net," Duclair said. "Just lucky it went in."
It was Duclair's second goal in as many games.
Ryan Haggerty, who earned the assist on Duclair's goal, scored a goal of his own shortly thereafter and used his big body to power past Coburn and Andrew McDonald, according to the New York Daily News.
"I felt like I had a lot of confidence out there," Haggerty said following the game. "I felt like I made a lot of plays. I felt like I put a lot of pucks to the net. I think this was just another step in the right direction tonight. I've got to keep following it up with a better performance every time."
In "possible Derek Stepan replacement, but not really only for a little while" news, 28-year-old former Dallas Star Chris Mueller potted a goal and had an assist.
"I've liked what he's brought," head coach Alain Vigneault said of Mueller. "He's got a pretty good flair with the puck, playing to his strengths, and every game he's come up on the positive side."
The Rangers, who always seem to fair well against Philadelphia, absolutely dominated the first period, taking 13 of the game's first 14 shots and finishing the stanza with a 3-0 lead.
The second period was more of a fair fight, but saw New York maintain its 3-goal lead, 5-2.
Young forwards J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg and Marek Hrivik scored for the Rangers as well.
Afterward, Vigneault seemed pretty pleased with the showing of his young prospects.
"The kids know there's ice time and roles available," he said. "It's a good situation for our team in the sense that we are being put in a situation where we have decisions to make. That's a lot more pleasant and fun for everybody."
Speaking of fun, there were a couple of noteworthy fights. Tanner Glass took on Philadelphia's Zack Stortini in a long bout, and Ryan McDonagh faced off with Blair Jones.
McDonagh also had two assists on the night.
"It was an unbelievable experience," said Haggerty. "You're never going to forget, even though its a preseason game. Growing up in Stamford, being so close. Being a Ranger fan and being able to come out and play my first game in a blue sweater was unbelievable."
The Rangers take on the Flyers again tonight in Philadelphia.
