By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After going weeks living in the shadow of a 10-game winning streak that was becoming a further memory by the day, the Flyers strung together back-to-back wins with a shutout over the Rangers on Wednesday.
The win, which vaults the Flyers ahead of the Maple Leafs in the standings as the two prepare to meet on Thursday, certainly didn't seem likely at times during Wednesday's game, but nonetheless was one of the Flyers finer performances.
Here are 10 Postgame Points from Flyers-Rangers.
- This win starts and end with Steve Mason. Mason had his share of rough games as the Flyers elongated slump carried into Sunday, but his last two games have been tremendous. Mason kept the game on Sunday within reach and on Wednesday essentially helped the Flyers steal the game. His outstretched save on Rick Nash's one-timer in the first, a couple in-tight chances from Michael Grabner, stopping Nash again on a breakaway in the second, a save in the splits on Jimmy Vesey late in the third, Mason did it all in his 34-save shutout.
- Mason did have some help though. The Flyers goalie certainly owes some puck luck with the posts for his shutout win. By my count, the Rangers hit iron four times in the game, including three times with the game still scoreless.
- The game-winning goal was Wayne Simmonds at his finest. Net-front presence, in his office, backhander on a rebound. There may be a game to go on Thursday, but for the All-Star to have a nice round number of 20 goals as All-Star Weekend hits is pretty good.
- What a difference a healthy Jake Voracek makes. Last season, plays like Voracek's power move through the slot on the Flyers second goal just weren't there for Voracek. He's doing things like that with ease this season. What a tremendous individual effort and a smart play to just get the puck on net. While it proved to be just an insurance goal, at the time, it was one that supplied some nice breathing room for the Flyers.
- Back to Mason, not so much for his performance now, but for just being solid as a rock in goal in a game where the Flyers were far from perfect for two periods. The Rangers game is speed and transition. They thrive off odd-man rushes and turnovers. The Flyers gave them both in the first 40 minutes and Mason helped them withstand that.
- The third period may have been one of the Flyers best periods defensively this season. The Flyers limited the Rangers to seven shots. When they did have chances, there weren't as many good looks. As the Rangers got more desperate and made long-range passes, the Flyers clogged the neutral zone. Rather than falling into the trap where they play a game that cuts the ice in half and essentially lets the Rangers enter at will, they remained aggressive. This is one to remember for a team that has struggled defensively this season.
- A ton of credit needs to be given to the penalty kill. The Rangers managed three shots on three power plays. Two came on their first chance in the second. After that, the Flyers buckled down and allowed very little room to get things done. An aggressive penalty kill was a welcome sight for this team.
- The Rangers entered Wednesday's game averaging 3.44 goals per game and having scored 165 goals on the season, second in the NHL. This was just the second time this season the Rangers were shut out in a game.
- The Flyers weren't always their best defensively, but I thought this was a particularly strong game from Mark Streit. He was smart with the puck and blocked a team-high three shots.
- Give some credit to Dave Hakstol too. In the in-game interview with Pierre McGuire, Hakstol mentioned that the Flyers needed better zone exits and to win in the battle zones, particularly on the forecheck. From the next shift for the rest of the game, the Flyers won more of those battles and that equated to goals.
Bottom Line
This is a big win for the Flyers for two reasons. First and foremost, points against division opponents are valuable. Given the way the Rangers handled the Flyers in the first two meetings of the season, the Flyers weathered the storm early and struck late.
Secondly, the Flyers needed to build on Sunday's win, but that can be difficult when you get some relief after an overtime win and have to wait two days before taking the ice again. The Flyers needed to string together two wins in a row somehow and this is a good time to make some noise with the league taking another break for All-Star weekend.
The Flyers have one more game to go before then and it's a crucial one as all games in the East are from here on out, but after holding one of the league's toughest offensive teams at bay, the Flyers have to be riding some confidence.
