Legwand’s Shot Proves Historic

Making history was nice, but getting home for Christmas was more important to David Legwand.

Legwand scored the NHL’s first goal on an overtime penalty shot to give Nashville a 3-2 victory Saturday over the New York Rangers. Nashville, in its third season, had lost its three previous games against the Rangers.

Overtime was reinstated into the regular season in 1983--after 41 years without it--and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, no one had converted a penalty shot in the extra session.

“I didn’t know,” Legwand, 20, said of the historical significance. “It’s a piece of history. I guess it will be a while before it happens again.”

Legwand did not keep the puck and rushed to catch a flight at Newark Airport.

“The goal was great, but I’m going home for Christmas now for the first time in five years and that’s much better,” the Detroit native said. “Scoring it in Madison Square Garden was great. It was fun for that reason.”

Legwand was dragged down by rookie defenseman Tomas Kloucek as he skated in the Rangers’ zone with 1:43 left in the extra period. On the penalty shot, awarded by referee Terry Gregson, Legwand carried to the right side and put the puck behind backup goalie Kirk McLean.

“He kind of blooped it,” said McLean, who has allowed four goals on six career penalty shots. “He fanned on the shot, he faked a shot and I went down. He brought it to his forehand and scored.”

Earlier this season, Patrik Elias of New Jersey failed to convert an overtime penalty shot against John Vanbiesbrouck of the New York Islanders in a 0-0 tie.

“You can’t think about it,” Legwand said. “You just have to try to put the puck on the net. It’s great to end it on one shot.”

Scott Walker scored a short-handed goal for Nashville with 1:43 left in regulation to tie the score, 2-2.

“We haven’t been able to score 5-on-5, so 5-on-4 is really tough,” Nashville Coach Barry Trotz said. “To come back with a short-handed goal to tie a game, late in the game, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

The Rangers got goals from Brian Leetch and Sandy McCarthy.

Leetch scored in the final minute of the second period and then hit the post on the power play that turned badly for the Rangers when Walker scored.