Avery leads Rangers to beat Flyers

NEW YORK: Sean Avery scored two power-play goals and drew a pair of penalties on Sunday to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Nik Antropov also scored a man-advantage goal for the Rangers, who matched their season high with three power-play tallies on nine chances to split the weekend series. New York, which began the day eighth in the Eastern Conference, moved within four points of fourth-place Philadelphia. The teams have two meetings remaining.

Fredrik Sjostrom scored a wraparound goal at even strength to make it 4-1, giving the Rangers their fifth win in nine games (5-3-1) since John Tortorella replaced fired coach Tom Renney. Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves for his 31st win, allowing only Simon Gagne's power play goal in the second. Avery has four goals in seven games since rejoining New York, topping the three he had in 27 games earlier this season with Dallas.