Flyers get to try new 3-on-3 OT format in win over Rangers

Tuesday was one of three league-mandated overtimes the Flyers will play in the preseason, regardless of the score at the end of regulation.

In theory, this season's new three-on-three, five-minute overtimes should reduce the number of games decided in a shootout.

The Flyers are probably applauding.

Since the NHL introduced shootouts in 2005-06, the Flyers have been the league's worst team in the gimmicky format, including a 3-11 record last season.

"It's more game-like to decide a game in overtime," new coach Dave Hakstol said before the Flyers' 5-3 win over the New York Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center. "I think it's going to be really exciting for the fans."

Neither team scored in Tuesday's overtime, but the Flyers didn't have much attack time because they were forced to kill Brayden Schenn's two-minute tripping penalty.

In the NHL's first seven games that went into overtime this preseason, six never reached the shootout.

The three-on-three format (instead of four-on-four) means more open ice, more odd-man rushes, more scoring chances.

"There's a lot of space out there," winning goalie Steve Mason said after Tuesday's overtime. "Obviously, we didn't get a real feel for it just because we were on the penalty kill, but I don't think it's going to take too much time for people to create chances and potentially put a game away in overtime. There's just too much space for guys to work with."

Having an offensive-minded defenseman like Michael Del Zotto in the lineup during the overtime will be like having three forwards on the ice.

"I think when you go into the three-on-three, you have to go in with an attack mentality," Hakstol said. "He's definitely one of those guys back there who has that mentality. It can't be all one direction, but I think you have to go out with a killer instinct."

Over the last two seasons, about 14 percent of NHL games have been decided in shootouts.

"Too many," Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said recently.

Rookie Shayne Gostisbehere scored a pair of goals as the Flyers improved to 2-1 in the preseason with the win over the Rangers. The player they call "Ghost" played just seven combined games last season in the AHL/NHL because he underwent knee surgery.

"The more games I get, the better I'll get," said Gostisbehere, 22, who scored on a point drive and by finishing a pretty power-play pass from Wayne Simmonds in close.

Added Gostisbehere: "I think we're all trying to play our best and make it a hard decision for them" to send players back to the AHL or juniors.

Schenn had his second goal in his two games, and Simmonds and R.J. Umberger each contributed a pair of assists.

Defenseman Evgeny Medvedev and left winger Sam Gagner (two points) also netted their first goals of the preseason.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov, the Flyers' No. 1 pick (seventh overall) in the draft, had three hits in 21:25 and collected his second assist in two games.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

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