In a game that could have devastating ramnifications to the Rangers' playoff hopes, four players were injured and New York lost 5-3 to Philadelphia.

Rangers' superstar Brendan Shanahan was taken off the ice on a stretcher and was taken to a local hospital after colliding with Mike Knuble and hitting his head on the ice. Knuble was injured on the play as well. The update on Shanahan is that he is "awake, alert and everything is moving", which is very good news. TSN reports that Shanny will stay at the hospital overnight for observation.

Marek Malik left the game in the second with an apparent shoulder injury after being checked in to the boards, and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist left after two periods after taking a shot to the collarbone/shoulder area.

Near the end of the game Aaron Ward appeared to have just hurt his hand in a fight with a guy wearing a visor, who had all of 4 PIMs on the year in 43 games (Picard). The altercation took place after Ryan Hollweg tried to fight with an unwilling Joni Pitkanen.

MSG also reported that leaving the ice, Sean Avery got into a screaming match with Flyers' assistants (including Craig Berube) and they had to be separated. These teams meet two more times this year - March 21st in New York and March 31st in Philadelphia.

As for the game, the Flyers got goals from Sanderson, Umberger (shorthanded), Gagne (his 31st), Upshall (first game as a Flyer) and Afansenkov. The Rangers outshot Philly 43-25 but Nittymaki had a great game.

The Flyers played extremely physical/stupid in the first, taking six minors and clearly targeting Jagr. Not only was New York unable to capitalize, but they ended up finding themselves down 2-1 after Umberger scored on a two-on-none shorthanded. Jagr took another big hit in the third as he setup Peter Prucha, who scored to cut the deficit to 4-2 early in the third.

This was the first game that the Flyers have won all year without Peter Forsberg in the lineup. Ironically, Scottie Upshall's goal was the game winner.

The Rangers still sit in 11th place, three points behind Toronto, Montreal and the Islanders who are all in action tonight.

This will be a tough one to recover from..

Danny

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