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Rangers coach says hostile Philly atmosphere only helped his team

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers - Game Three

in Game Three of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 22, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bruce Bennett

In an odd and tough twist, the New York Rangers began the 2013-14 season with a nine-game road trip. Maybe that partially explains why they’ve been such a resilient road team.

When he was asked about dealing with the energy in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault indicated that the hostile atmosphere only boosted his team during a 4-1 Game 3 win.

“We knew this was going to be a tough environment, not only were they prepared, they thrived on it,” Vigneault said.

Dan Carcillo might have thrived on it the most, as you can see from this video (and the fact that he received the team’s ceremonial Broadway Hat after the game).

All things considered, the Rangers seem like a tough out for the Flyers. They’ve won eight of the teams’ last nine games at Madison Square Garden (where the series shifts in Game 5) and could be just as tough in Game 4 considering the fact that they were better on the road than at home (25-14-2 vs. 20-17-4) during the season.

The Flyers’ crowd will probably do its best to make sure the Rangers don’t thrive in Game 4 on Friday, though.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins