Thrashers' Holik Burns Rangers in OT

Thrashers 5, Rangers 4

New York Rangers' Adam Hall, left, scores a goal against Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen during the second period in NHL hockey action Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The goal was Hall's second of the night. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson - AP)

NEW YORK -- Frantic finishes are quite the norm for the first-place Atlanta Thrashers. The Thrashers blew a late lead for the second time in three games, but Bobby Holik and his old-school wooden sticks bailed Atlanta out this time in a 5-4 overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

"We're getting pretty good at it, unfortunately," Holik said.

The former Rangers forward scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, but that didn't hold up as New York's Michael Nylander tied it with a power-play goal with 2:30 left in regulation.

That sparked bad memories for the Thrashers, who let Tampa Bay get even in the final minute of regulation in an overtime loss on Friday, and nearly allowed Florida to tie it the next night when the Panthers had a 6-on-3 skating advantage at the end of a 1-0 victory.

"Eight seconds left, a 6-on-3," said Holik, still shocked three days later. "I've never seen anything like that in my life."

Holik, who spent two largely disappointing seasons with the Rangers before the NHL lockout, gave the Thrashers their first lead of the night at 9:12 of the third period. He gleaned no extra delight in knocking off New York.

"I'm in the point of my career where I want to help this team to get into the playoffs," said Holik, a two-time Stanley Cup champion. "That's all I ever care about. If we win, that's the satisfaction."

Holik and Jim Slater scored 2:04 apart in the third period, and Marian Hossa broke out of a slump with a goal and three assists for the Thrashers, unbeaten in four games (3-0-1). Brad Larsen's goal 2:17 into the second period tied it at 1.

The winner came when Holik rushed around defenseman Aaron Ward and banged a shot off goalie Henrik Lundqvist's pads. He grabbed his own rebound and popped it into the net.

"I do that move every warmup before the game," the rugged Holik said. "I have been doing that for 10 years. That's my play. What am I going to do, pick a corner?"

Adam Hall scored twice, and streaking Martin Straka added a goal for the Rangers, who dropped their second straight overtime decision following late, third-period rallies. New York has gone to overtime in three consecutive contests.

Kari Lehtonen shook off a soft first goal and followed up Saturday's shutout performance with a 30-save effort.