The scoring chances for this game were as close as the final score and shot totals suggested, with the New York Rangers slightly outchancing the Flyers 18-17.

The first half of the first period was played evenly, but the Flyers would score first thanks to James van Riemsdyk. The Rangers were held without a chance for the ten minutes of this period until they went on a 5v3 powerplay late, where they managed to generate several chances in a row culminating with the Bryan McCabe goal in the final second.

The second was also fairly even, and despite getting three power play chances the Flyers could not beat Lundqvist or the Rangers defenders who blocked a lot of shots. A Fedotenko goal would seperate the clubs at the end of the second.

The 4v4 Zherdev goal was the highlight of the third period for the Flyers, as they didn't register a scoring chance in the final 15:29 afterward. My eyes tell me that they did have times of dominance, with the CGZ line setting up a good forecheck and cycle, but didn't get any chances (I need to start taking more notes during the game).

I recorded three chances in OT, and that's where the hockey ended.

Jump for the charts

What is a scoring chance?  A scoring chance is defined as a clear play directed toward the opposing net from a dangerous scoring area -- loosely defined as the top of the circle in and inside the faceoff dots, though sometimes slightly more generous than that depending on the amount of immediately-preceding puck movement or screens in front of the net. 

Blocked shots are generally not included but missed shots are. A player is awarded a scoring chance anytime he is on the ice and someone from either team has a chance to score. He is awarded a "chance for" if someone on his team has a chance to score and a "chance against" if the opposing team has a chance to score.

Thanks to Vic Ferrari's script for allowing this to happen.

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 21175/ Flyers regular season game 79

• Timonen finished +4, Giroux, Zherdev and Leino finished +3. Leino only played 8 minutes and was then benched by Lavy, but I'm not sure if this was the best option. He did make two fairly bad plays, a drop pass on the PP and terrible defense on the Fedotenko goal, but he was generating chances.
• DSOD was a machine in racking up a +2 chance differential
• None of the Flyers fiinshed with a worse differential than -1

I tried my best to get the Rangers lines accurate, but it won't be perfect. I think this kind of chart will be more interesting to track the chances over a playoff series. Noticeably, Syvret dominated Fedotenko, so I would suggest to Lavy to try and get that matchup as often as possible if the Flyers end up facing the Rangers in the playoffs.

The Flyers outchanced the Rangers at even strength, but were beaten during special teams 3-8. Stay out of the box, and this game could have had a better result. It will also be interesting to see how George E. Ays scores this game, which will be found at Tracking The NYRangers.