NEW YORK – Tom Renney has said every game is a litmus test this season. But when the Philadelphia Flyers rolled into town, the stakes went up and the magnifying glass came down on Broadway.

"I was really excited about the game tonight, because I wanted to know where we are," Renney said after the Rangers lost to the Flyers, 4-3 in overtime. "They exposed us in certain areas, but we also did the same to them. I think we answered the bell and we rose to the occasion, but in the end, we didn't get two points.

"And that is what we are here to do."

So it wasn't an entire success, but the Rangers did show the ability to play with the Flyers on their level. The Jagr line was faster than anyone on the ice and matched the Flyers toe to toe.

The problem though was penalties. The Flyers' power play killed the Rangers, which is something Renney needs to correct the next time the teams meet.

"At five-on-five, we proved we could play with them, but we have to be careful because they scored three power play goals," said Martin Straka, who had two goals from Jagr feeds in the game. "We just can't commit to them on the power play because they are so good."

The stacked Flyers team dominated the power play, but at even strength, the teams looked, well, even. The Rangers were able to show some toughness and hit hard all night. And as a top line -- Jaromir Jagr, Michael Nylander and Straka -- looked liked world-beaters.

"That line of Jagr, Straka and Nylander is something to see," Flyers' wing Simon Gagne, who scored the winning goal seven seconds into overtime, marveled. "They scored two goals tonight and they did the same thing to us in Philly [on opening night]."

Needless to say, the Rangers did prove they could rise to the occasion. Jagr was disappointed after the loss and wondered if the Rangers were not as good as he thought. "Maybe we are not better than we are," he speculated. "But we can learn. Of course we can work hard, but maybe we don't have the talent. Later on in the season, the talent always shows, because the energy wears down."

It could have been just the hurt from the defeat, but he has a point, since on paper the Flyers looks so much better than the Rangers.

Gagne, though, was impressed with the way the Blueshirts played. "Overall that team is playing very well and surprised a lot of people this year," he said. "One reason, the have a great coaching staff and are really close together and that makes a big difference."

It also proved to him that Madison Square Garden will be a tough place to play.

"I would say it wasn't easy in the past, but it's going to be tough to come here and get the win," Gagne said.

And they play six more times, so this rivalry is just getting started.