Copyright Getty Images/by H. Rumph Jr.

It’s the worst case scenario. A game they needed and the Rangers lacked the edge necessary against a hated rival. The Flyers aren’t making the playoffs. You wouldn’t have known it by how hard they competed. They were hungrier all night and sent the Blueshirts to a crushing 4-2 loss in a sea of orange.

With every game being critical, the Rangers can’t afford to let up. They did against an opponent they’ve owned. They entered winning 11 of 12 and were well rested. It didn’t matter. It was the Flyers who wanted it badly. They spoiled the fun. While every team around them took care of business, the Rangers fell behind by two in a dismal first. Brayden Schenn and Erik Gustafsson scored for Philadelphia.

Finally playing with more desperation, the Rangers got back in it. Mats Zuccarello netted his first from John Moore. Zuccarello took a Moore pass and beat Steve Mason from the right circle. Then, something asinine happened that made no sense. Inexplicably, Arron Asham fought Jay Rosehill less than a minute after Zuccarello cut the deficit to one. If you just scored, you’re not supposed to fight. Asham’s boneheaded move sealed what’s been an awful year. Even if you side with him when it comes to his war of tweets with Scotty Hockey, it was uncalled for and provided the Flyers a lift on home ice. Scotty’s 100 percent right about Asham, who’s proven how clueless Glen Sather is. If they miss the playoffs, it’s on Slats.

Ironically, the Rangers got a power play thanks to Scott Hartnell. If there’s one area that’s defined this club, it’s the lack of cohesion on the man-advantage. Time and again, they fail. Not to harp on a broken record. But Henrik Lundqvist has referenced the lack of special teams. It rared its ugly head again. Our powerless play went zero-for-five. The Flyers cashed in on one-of-two with Kimmo Timonen’s power play goal holding up as the winner. That’s the difference. After killing off a Ryan McDonagh minor, Ryane Clowe was called for boarding. Listening to our radio broadcast, Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney agreed that it was at best questionable. It didn’t matter. They had a job to do and failed miserably. Who else but Brad Richards was beaten cleanly by Claude Giroux off a draw, leading directly to Timonen beating Lundqvist for a 3-1 Flyers’ lead.

It didn’t matter that the Flyers cut off the ice and mugged our guys to protect the lead. Does anyone actually believe our PP would’ve come through? They stink. Have all year except for a couple of occasions. Following another powerless failure, Derek Stepan scored to pull the Rangers within 3-2 with 12:32 left in regulation. He came back after hurting himself on a previous shift. Stepan had no problem going to the front of the net and finding a Ryan Callahan rebound, sneaking it past a screened Mason. Derick Brassard made a great play to keep the puck in with his right skate. Callahan wisely took a shot that caromed to Stepan, who instantly shot. If more players on this roster played like them, maybe they wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Rick Nash had a second straight poor effort. He threw away the puck aimlessly and didn’t spark Richards after being moved up due to Brian Boyle leaving the game in the first. Both our highest paid forwards turned it over right into the teeth of the Flyers’ D. There was a stretch when Mason, who stood on his head, was visibly shaken. The Rangers never applied pressure. They never tested him. Zuccarello had the best chance after Mason saw the trainer and miraculously continued with Mr. Universe warming up. Clowe fed Zuccarello in front but Mason made a great kick save. Stepan had the other opportunity, just missing on a tip with over two minutes left. That’s as close as they came.

Despite out-shooting the Flyers 17-3, the Rangers lost two draws including Giroux beating Stepan, which led to Jake Voracek scoring into an open net at 19:46 to seal it. A damaging loss. With Winnipeg prevailing in a shootout over Tampa Bay, they’re tied for eighth with us. The Jets own the No.1 tiebreaker with 20 ROW compared to our 17. The Rangers remain in eighth due to having one extra game left. Don’t forget Buffalo, who remained four out. The Senators and Islanders each won, extending their lead.

Here are the updated East Standings:
                    GP      Pts   ROW
1.Penguins  42        64      29    
2.Canadiens 42       57      23  
3.Capitals    43       50      21
4.Bruins       41      56       22
5.Leafs         43      53       24
6.Senators    42      50       18
7.Islanders    43     49        19
8.Rangers     42     46         17
9.Jets            43     46         20
10.Sabres      43     42         13
11.Flyers      43     41         18
12.Devils      42     40         13
13.Lightning 43     38         16
14.Canes      42      36        17
15.Panthers  42      32        10