Lindros Keeps Quiet in Return

Eric Lindros was distracted by the sights and sounds of his former home.

It showed, as Lindros and the New York Rangers were overwhelmed by the feisty, aggressive Flyers.

Kim Johnsson skated in through the circles and flipped the puck over Mike Richter’s shoulder at 5:51 of the third period for the go-ahead goal Saturday, giving Philadelphia a fight-filled 4-2 win over the Rangers.

Johnsson, one of the players the Flyers received in the Lindros trade, made it 3-2, and Justin Williams padded the lead with 4:23 left.

“I didn’t feel real comfortable until halfway through the second period,” Lindros said. “When you step into a building where you played so many years, a lot of things go through your mind.”

John LeClair had a goal and an assist, and Jeremy Roenick also scored for Philadelphia, which moved six points ahead of the Rangers in leading the Atlantic Division.

Bryan Berard and Radek Dvorak scored for New York. Berard added an assist.

New York has lost six consecutive games, while the Flyers have won 10 of their last 12.

At the start of the game, Lindros took time to look around the sold-out First Union Center.

“It was memories,” he said, “looking around the rink at different sections. Remembering where my seats were when I played, seeing some familiar faces along the glass. There was a lot going on.”

Spending nearly two years away didn’t earn Lindros a reprieve from the 19,867 fans, many booing each time he touched the puck. He was razzed even in warmups.

Lindros, who missed time as a Flyer because of a concussion and squabbled with General Manager Bob Clarke, was traded to the Rangers in August.

Throughout the contentious first period, which featured three fights and 60 minutes of penalties, Lindros looked concerned and awkward.

He avoided getting involved in any of the dustups and was hardly a contributor to New York’s offense, taking just three shots on goal all game.