NEW YORK -- This win was three years in the making for backup goalie Ray Emery and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers. Emery stood in again for injured No. 1 netminder Steve Mason and made 31 saves to help the Flyers rally from an early two-goal deficit and beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Sunday to even the first-round playoff series. The Flyers had lost nine straight at Madison Square Garden, including 4-1 in the series opener on Thursday, since their last win there on Feb. 20, 2011. Emery hadnt won a post-season game anywhere in exactly three years for Anaheim at Nashville. "I try to stay even-keeled, whether its going well or you dont get off to the start you want," the 31-year-old Emery said. "I play with a system in there, and I just kind of rely on that. Ive had leads before and Ive been down before so its just kind of a consistent approach." Luke Schenn scored the go-ahead goal in the second period after Jakub Voracek and Jason Akeson got the Flyers even at 2. Wayne Simmonds sealed the win with a power-play, empty-net goal. Now the Flyers head home, where they went 2-0 against the Rangers in the regular season. Game 3 is on Tuesday. Philadelphia no longer has to hear about its skid in New York in which the Flyers were outscored 35-10 and never had more than two goals in any game. "Thats a huge weight off our shoulders, to come in here and get the split," Schenn said. "Going back home, we feel a bit better about ourselves." Voracek brought the Flyers within 2-1 in the first after Martin St. Louis and Benoit Pouliot staked New York to its lead. Emery did the rest, looking especially sharp in the second and third periods. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 21 shots after a 14-save winning effort in the opener. "They came back pretty strong late in the first, and then in the second period a lot better," Lundqvist said. "Going into the third we felt confident we could tie it. The tide turned in the second when the Flyers caught up and went ahead despite being outshot 17-9. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault called that period his teams best of the day. "The game can be funny sometimes," he said. "We had some Grade A chances. Our power play had some great looks. They scored two and we didnt." Akeson tied it with a power-play goal 5:45 in off a rebound of Brayden Schenns shot for his second career NHL tally. It was a day of redemption for the 23-year-old Akeson, playing his fourth NHL game. His double high-sticking penalty in Game 1 led to two Rangers goals that turned a 1-1 game into a 3-1 deficit in the third. Flyers coach Craig Berube didnt consider benching him for Game 2. "Should I sit out everybody that takes a penalty?" Berube asked. "I understand he took a four-minute penalty, but he played well. It was a mistake, and you have to learn from them. Hes a good player." Philadelphia grabbed its second lead of the series with 8:42 left in the second during a delayed penalty. Michael Raffl brought the puck in on the right side and got it to Adam Hall for a shot. Luke Schenn then put in the rebound. The Rangers chance for a comeback was thwarted by a penalty for too many men with 1:18 left that led to Simmonds goal with 25.4 seconds remaining. Unlike in Game 1, the Flyers had the puck much more often and did a better job of closing off the Rangers passing lanes after the early deficit. However, they continued their undisciplined ways that cost them in the opener. The Flyers killed their first penalty after Simmonds held Ryan McDonagh in the offensive zone at 1:04, but they allowed one power-play goal and were short-handed three times in the first. Overall, the Flyers killed five of six power plays. New York took a 1-0 lead at 4:08 after a crisp passing sequence. Rick Nash came in with speed on the left side and moved the puck into the middle to Derek Stepan, who sent a pass into the right circle to St. Louis for a one-timer he punctuated with a fist pump. St. Louis, who had only one goal and seven assists with the Rangers in 19 regular-season games after being acquired from Tampa Bay, scored at the Garden for the first time since the trade for former captain Ryan Callahan. St. Louis has a goal and two assists in this series. The Rangers made it 2-0 at 8:22 with their third power-play goal in two games. More precision passing in the Philadelphia end by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard set up another one-timer from the right side, this time by Pouliot, who got enough of the puck to put it past Emery. The Flyers got one back on a strong move by Voracek, who skated around defenceman Ryan McDonagh on the backhand and tucked in a forehand with 5:46 left. NOTES: Emery is 21-16 in career playoff games. ... Akesons only other goal was scored April 23, 2013, at Ottawa. ... The Rangers had two potential power plays negated by embellishment calls. Bob Feller Indians Jersey . Dwyane Wade took over in the fourth quarter. Danny Salazar Indians Jersey . The post-season, Pierce said repeatedly, is no time to panic. And the Heat, apparently, are nothing to fear. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-francisco-lindor-jersey/ . Martin Reway and David Griger both recorded four points with a goal and three assists each. Mario Lunter, Daniel Gachulinec and Stanislav Horansky also scored for Slovakia (1-0). Dominik Kahun had both goals for Germany (0-2), who lost its opening match to Canada 7-2 on Thursday. Corey Kluber Jersey . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil. Hanley Ramirez Indians Jersey .Martin Caceres marked his return from injury by scoring in the 3-1 win at Napoli and he believes Juventus sent out a warning to the rest of the league with that result.We go out on the pitch every game looking to give our all, Caceres said.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Defensive end Greg Hardys teammates want to see him back in a Carolina Panthers uniform next season.Hardy was convicted on two counts of domestic violence last July, but is appealing the decision. A jury trial date has not yet been established.Hardy was placed on the commissioners exempt list following the conviction and only played in one game for the Panthers in 2014. He still collected $13.1 million this season as Carolinas franchise player.He will become an unrestricted free agent in March.A guy of that calibre, we need him, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman said Sunday as players cleaned out their lockers a day after a season-ending 31-17 loss to Seattle in an NFC divisional playoff game.I mean, hands down I would welcome him back, and relish the chance to play with that guy again.Norman called Hardy, who had 15 sacks in 2013, a rock for the Panthers on defence.Hes that guy that takes us to a whole other level, Norman said.Norman said he doesnt condone domestic violence, but said at the end of the day the mans got to make a living. Hes got to work. Hes got a job to do.Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards also said he wants to see Hardy back in Carolina — even if his conviction isnt overturned.If he pays his dues and serves his time, then he serves his time, Edwards said.Norman said he spoke to Hardy on Sunday in the locker room and said the defensive end told him he wants to re-sign with Carolina.He even told me he will play for free, Norman said.Whether or not owner Jerry Richardson would consider re-signing Hardy remains to be seen. Richardson spoke out against domestic violence in an emotional speech after Hardy was placed on the commissioners exempt list last year.The Panthers (8-9-1) won their second straight NFC South title this season, but their season ended abruptly after a five-game win streak.It capped a bizarre season that included quarterback Cam Newton fracturing two bones in his back in an automobile wreck, coach Ron Riveras house catching fire and Hardys conviction.Things to watch this off-season from the Panthers:NEWTONS FUTURE: The biggest question for the Panthers entering the off-season is addressing Newtoons long-term future.ddddddddddddThe Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on Newtons rookie deal earlier this season and are set to pay him $14.6 million in 2015. But the team has said it would like to sign Newton to a long-term contract extension. Newton is 30-31-1 as Carolinas starting quarterback in the regular season and 1-2 in the post-season.FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS: The Panthers found continuity on their offensive line the past seven games of the season with right tackle Mike Remmers and guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell seemingly cementing jobs in the future. However, the big question will be what they do at left tackle with Byron Bell, who is set to hit the free agent market. Bell is well liked by coaches, but the Panthers wont be able to overpay to keep him if they re-sign Newton.SECONDARY FIRST: Russell Wilson was 8 of 8 passing for 177 yards and three touchdowns on third downs against the Panthers on Saturday night. That says a little something about the Panthers nickel defence. Carolina hasnt invested much in its secondary, relying mostly on lower-round draft picks, undrafted players and low-cost aging veterans to fill those spots. The position is long overdue for an upgrade. The Panthers cut cornerbacks Antoine Cason and Charles Godfrey midseason and used Colin Jones, a backup safety and lifelong special teams player, as their nickel back. The Panthers have the 25th pick in the NFL draft and cornerback and offensive tackle are clear areas of need.ADDING OPTIONS ON OFFENSE: The Panthers need to add some offensive options around Newton in the passing game. Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen both had 1,000-yard receiving seasons, but the team lacked a deep receiving threat.WILLIAMS FUTURE: The Panthers have long had too much money invested in their running back position. Theyre finally in a position where they could cut running back DeAngelo Williams, the teams career leading rusher, and not have to take a huge salary cap hit. Jonathan Stewart re-emerged as a top-flight back, although he has had trouble staying healthy during his career.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '