Puempel, Lundqvist lead Rangers past Flyers

PHILADELPHIA – Matt Puempel scored in his first game with the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves to help New York defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Friday.

Derek Stepan and Kevin Hayes also netted goals for the Rangers, who rebounded from Wednesday’s 6-1 home drubbing against Pittsburgh. Lundqvist was lifted after allowing four goals on seven shots in the second period of that one, but he responded with a strong performance against the Flyers to improve to 32-13-4 in his career against Philadelphia.

Shayne Gostibehere and Chris VandeVelde scored in the third period for Philadelphia, which threatened throughout the final period. The Flyers opened a three-game homestand with its third loss in the last four games.

Stepan gave New York a 1-0 lead in the first period when he beat Steve Mason with a wrist shot from the slot. J.T. Miller set up the goal with an assist from behind the net after a turnover by Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton, playing in his second game since being recalled from Lehigh Valley of the AHL.

Stepan has 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 30 career games vs. Philadelphia.

Puempel, claimed off waivers from Ottawa on Monday, gave the Rangers a 2-0 advantage 1:34 later with his first goal of the season. A 2011 first-round pick of the Senators, Puempel went without a point in 13 games with Ottawa this season and had just four goals and two assists in 52 career games.

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