Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Sean Avery celebrates his goal in the first period against the Flyers. The Rangers won, 4-1.

“His probation period is over and now he’s back to his old antics and we got sucked in,” Flyers coach John Stevens said. “He obviously had a game plan. Give him credit. That’s what he does best.”

One day after Martin Biron made 39 saves in beating the Rangers, he gave way to backup Antero Niittymaki, who stopped 35 shots.

“It’s an emotional game every time we play the Rangers,” Coburn said. “We were trying to match their intensity and they were trying to match ours.”

Antropov gave New York its second one-goal lead 8:27 into the middle period when he snapped a shot in off the post from the right circle.

New York grabbed a 1-0 edge in the first period for the second straight game. Avery got his stick blade on Derek Morris’ shot in front and tipped the puck under the crossbar, popping up the water bottle with 2 minutes left. He went into his trademark arm-pumping glide in celebration.

“He’s very underrated as a player,” Rangers captain Chris Drury said. “He’s skilled and people are starting to realize how good he is besides all the other stuff.

“Rather than booing us they’re chanting ’Avery.’ I’ll take that any game.”

The Rangers had 14 straight failed power-play chances before Avery broke the drought. Antropov’s goal gave them two man-advantage goals for the second time in six games after they had gone 16 straight without doing it.

Gagne tied it for the Flyers 4:32 into the second period. Avery got to a loose puck in front to make it 3-1 at 2:45 of the third, and Sjostrom closed the scoring with 9:49 left.

Notes: It was the Rangers’ 150th consecutive home sellout. ... Antropov has three goals in six games since being acquired from Toronto. ... Philadelphia is 7-4-3 in the second half of back-to-back games. New York improved to 7-5-1.

More news

NBC Sports

'For me, it's unbelievable'

  Video: 40-year-old Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be making his fifth Stanley Cup finals appearance.

NHL.com: 5th Cup finals for Brodeur  |  'Feels good'

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Rangers' gas tank hits empty | Rally falls short

NHL.com: Torts praises Rangers after season ends

PHT: Will Devils or Kings win Stanley Cup finals?

PHT: Burning questions coming out of Devils' win

PHT Extra: Kings will face toughest foe yet

Gagne back at practice, enjoying Kings' success

PHT: Kings making Lombardi look like a genius

PHT: History doesn't bode well for Kings in finals