May 21, 1995...Flyers Defeat Rangers, 5-4 in overtime

On this date in 1995, the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers at the Spectrum, 5-4 in overtime, in Game One of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Brian Leetch and Petr Nedved. John LeClair opened the scoring for the Flyers with a power play goal at 2:57 of the second period. Pat Verbeek scored the Rangers' third power play goal of the game to increase New York's lead to two goals, 3-1. LeClair then scored his second goal of the period to decrease the Flyers' deficit to one goal, 3-2, as the teams entered the second intermission.

LeClair completed his hat trick with a goal at 12:50 of the third period to tie the score at 3-3. Flyers defenseman Eric Desjardins scored his second goal of the playoffs at 15:11 to give the Flyers their first lead of the game, 4-3. Verbeek tied the game at 4-4 when he scored his second goal of the game with just 19 seconds left to play in the third period (19:41).

Desjardins sent Flyers fans home happy by scoring a goal at 7:03 of the first overtime period to give the Flyers the 5-4 win.

For LeClair, his hat trick was the first of his career in the playoffs.