The Kids Are Alright: Jesper Fast congratulates J.T. Miller on his goal during the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Flyers.
AP Photo by Bill Kostroun/Getty Images

Every now and then, you need your kids to contribute. For the Rangers, that came Saturday in a 5-2 home win over the hapless Flyers. With Tanner Glass becoming the latest player to suffer from the mumps and Chris Kreider flying home following the passing of his grandfather, it opened the door for Jesper Fast and J.T. Miller to step up. Each did by scoring their first goals highlighting a sweep of a home-and-home with Philadelphia.

For once, the Rangers got huge contributions from their fourth line. While I’m not going out of my way to bash Glass, it’s no coincidence that the sudden improvement came with him out of the lineup. Give Dominic Moore two younger players who can skate and look what happens. Fast scored the biggest goal getting to a loose puck and surprising Ray Emery with a high riser that tied the score in the second. At that point, his team needed a lift. They’d fallen into a lull and trailed the Flyers 2-1 despite a huge disparity in shots. Jake Voracek had just put them ahead with a power play goal. But Fast responded less than three minutes later.

”It’s great,” praised captain Ryan McDonagh, who had an assist in over 24 minutes in his second game back. ”It’s nice to see that.”

Jesper Fast is mobbed by excited teammates at the Ranger bench following his goal.
AP Photo by Bill Kostroun/Getty Images

Alain Vigneault has used Fast in eight of the last games keeping him with Moore on the fourth line. He’s liked his defensive awareness and sees a young player improving. Fast even saw time on the penalty kill with Kevin Hayes in Friday’s 3-0 shutout of the Flyers. That Vigneault has shown more trust in younger players is encouraging. He’s finally giving them the chance to grow. It’s had mixed results. However, Hayes has stuck on the third line with Carl Hagelin and Anthony Duclair, who remains here probably until the U-20 World Junior Championship after Christmas.

Also getting a chance to shine was Miller. After struggling mightily in the first four games, he went down to Hartford and found his game. Used on the fourth line in place of Glass, he picked up a goal and assist for his first two points of the season. Aggressive throughout, he paced the Rangers with five shots and delivered two hits in 14 shifts (12:37) with the bulk coming at even strength (11:41). Vigneault gave him a 56-second power play shift. Miller used strong skating to go around the Flyer D and beat Emery on a wrap around that gave his team some insurance.

Derick Brassard provided two goals including a sweet finish of a Hayes feed in front for the game-winner 3:06 into the third. In the first year of a new contract that pays him handsomely, he’s stepped up with eight goals and 11 assists. A bit streaky, it had been a while since he scored. Brassard snapped a seven-game drought by taking a Rick Nash centering feed and beating Emery for a power play goal. Derek Stepan helped set it up.

”I felt (my line) needed to step up a little bit,” Brassard said. ”I needed to shoot the puck more to get those scoring chances and that’s (what’s) happening.”

 ”We’re playing the right way. ”Hopefully we’re on the right path and looking ahead.”

For the Blueshirts, that’s what they need. When they win, everyone contributes. Nash has done his part scoring 16 goals including a key one shorthanded that finished the Flyers, who were booed on home ice. They’re a mess. When Michael Del Zotto is your most reliable defenseman and not everyone is pulling their weight, something’s wrong. Will Craig Berube survive?

It really isn’t surprising that the Rangers are 3-0 versus the Flyers who just don’t match up. They aren’t fast enough. Outside of Voracek who is right there with Sidney Crosby for the league lead in scoring, they aren’t getting enough consistency. Claude Giroux has 27 points but he’s seemingly invisible every time he faces us. Whether it’s McDonagh or Marc Staal with Dan Girardi, they blanket him.

”It’s mental,” Berube said of his team’s struggles. ”Every guy has to man up and do their job. ”My job is to get these guys going in the right direction.”

”(Philadelphia is) a team that is struggling a little bit right now,” said Henrik Lundqvist, who had a light workload stopping 21 of 23.

”When you get going against a team like Philly I think you put yourself in a good spot by just working really hard and making it really tough for them.”

The quotes from Lundqvist are pretty accurate. When you face a wounded opponent, you have to attack them. The Flyers were still in a good position tied after two periods. But they wilted. They’ve lost four in a row and are 1-7-1 over their last nine. They’ve dropped to 8-12-3 and are sixth in the Metro. Either they’ll figure it out or spiral out of control and have a new coach by January.

While that plays out, the Rangers must concern themselves with the Lightning later tonight. Having already been victimized twice by former captain Ryan Callahan and dynamic superstar Steven Stamkos, let’s see if they can get it done with McDonagh back in the lineup. The Bolts recently got Victor Hedman back too. So, it should be interesting. Following that one, the Rangers have the rest of the week off until a Saturday visit at Detroit. Then return to MSG for my birthday next Monday against the Pens. The competition is much better. We’ll see what they’re made of.