Penalty Shot in OT Gives Flyers a Win

Michal Handzus became the second player in NHL history to score an overtime goal on a penalty shot when he beat New York’s Dan Blackburn with 36.7 seconds left in overtime Thursday night in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers at Philadelphia.

“Back home we don’t play overtime, so it was a first,” said Handzus, who grew up in Slovakia and came to the Flyers last summer as part of the deal that sent goaltender Brian Boucher to Phoenix.

Handzus, who was taken down from behind by defenseman Tom Poti, faked a forehand shot, then went to his backhand before lifting a shot over Blackburn’s left pad.

Handzus joined Nashville’s David Legwand as the only players to score with an overtime penalty shot. Legwand also beat the Rangers on Dec. 23, 2000, in New York. That goal was scored against backup goalie Kirk McLean.

Detroit 5, Phoenix 3 -- Darren McCarty and Brendan Shanahan scored in the game’s first 97 seconds at Phoenix as the Red Wings continued their dominance of the Coyotes.

The Red Wings are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Phoenix (6-0-4).

Calgary 1, Minnesota 1 -- Roman Turek stopped 34 shots for the Flames at Calgary, Canada.

Turek’s biggest save came in overtime when he stopped Sergei Zholtok on a breakaway with about two minutes remaining.

St. Louis 2, Ottawa 2 -- Marian Hossa scored on his own rebound with 1:06 left in regulation as the Senators capitalized on a late power play at St. Louis.

Hossa scored his 16th of the season after Fred Brathwaite stopped his shot from the point. The left side of the net was wide open for Hossa’s backhand rebound.

Boston 4, Atlanta 3 -- Glen Murray scored his 16th goal of the season at 1:53 of overtime at Boston to spoil the return of goalie Byron Dafoe.

Dafoe (2-2-0) made 36 saves in his first start against the Bruins since signing with Atlanta on Nov. 20.

Tampa Bay 3, Edmonton 2 -- Ruslan Fedotenko scored the tiebreaking goal with three minutes left in the third period at Tampa, Fla.

Before the game, the Lightning learned Dave Andreychuk will be out four weeks because of a hairline fracture of the big toe on his right foot.

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Chicago’s Theo Fleury was cleared to return to the NHL after the completion of his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse aftercare program. The 34-year-old Fleury was suspended indefinitely, just two days before the start of the regular season, but now is set to make his debut with the Blackhawks tonight against the Mighty Ducks.... Joe Sakic, Rob Blake and Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche are in line to start for the Western Conference All-Star team in early voting announced Thursday. San Jose’s Teemu Selanne and Dallas’ Brett Hull lead the wingers. Nicklas Lidstrom of Detroit is the top defenseman and leading vote-getter in the Western Conference. Voting ends Dec. 31.