Rangers fall back to earth against Flyers

PHILADELPHIA — Sean Couturier scored a pair of goals, Calvin Pickard made 31 saves in his 12th career shutout and the Flyers beat the Rangers 4-0 Friday to stop a four-game losing streak.

Travis Konecny had a goal, two assists and got into fight, Jordan Weal scored an empty-net goal and Claude Giroux had three assists for Philadelphia, which entered tied for last in the Metropolitan conference. The Flyers scored three goals in the final five minutes, 21 seconds.

Pickard, among four Flyers goaltenders this season, was in net because starter Brian Elliott and backup Michal Neuvirth are sidelined with lower body injuries. Pickard has made 10 appearances and has a 4-1-2 record.

The Rangers, which entered tied for the Metropolitan lead, lost for just the third time in 12 games. The Rangers entered with three wins a row.

Pickard made his best save with 5:56 left, a pad stop on Lias Andersson to preserve a one-goal lead.

Couturier scored 35 seconds later with a wrist shot from the slot, sending the puck under Henrik Lundqvist’s right arm after a pass from Konecny. After Weal’s goal, Couturier scored on a rebound with 1:37 remaining.

Philadelphia had 46 shots against the 36-year-old Lundqvist, who started for the 18th time in 23 games.

After giving up the first goal in each game during their skid, the Flyers outshot the Rangers 15-8 in the first period, going ahead on Konecny’s unusual goal with 6:39 left. He sent the puck toward the net from the side boards, looking for Couturier, and the puck deflected off Lundqvist, Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei and a post before crossing the goal line.

Ryan Strome, in his fifth game with the Rangers after his acquisition from Edmonton, fought Konecny to a draw in the second period. Konecny responded to Strome’s strong check on Couturier.