NHL: Devils wrap up playoff spot
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Brian Gionta scored a power-play goal 28 seconds into overtime and the New Jersey Devils wrapped up a playoff spot in their 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Martin Brodeur made 37 saves to help New Jersey stretch its winning streak to eight games and become the first NHL goalie to win 40 games in five seasons. He’s 40-23-7.
Gionta’s power-play goal – his 45th goal of the season – capped a wild ending, with both teams scoring in the final 5 minutes of regulation and New Jersey locking up its ninth straight playoff spot when the game went to overtime.
Islanders 3, Rangers 2
NEW YORK – Miroslav Satan scored his 32nd and 33rd goals and the Islanders slowed the rival Rangers’ drive to the Atlantic Division title.
The Rangers have already clinched their first playoff berth since 1997 and are trying for their first division crown since the Stanley Cup-winning season of 1993-94.
Coupled with Philadelphia’s 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the Rangers’ lead over the Flyers was cut to three points. New York has three games remaining – including one at Philadelphia on Saturday – while the Flyers have four games left.
Chris Campoli also scored for the Islanders. Michael Nylander and Petr Prucha scored for the Rangers.
Red Wings 2, Oilers 0
DETROIT – Manny Legace made 29 saves and Kris Draper and Donald MacLean scored goals to help the Red Wings clinch the best record in the NHL.
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Red Wings, with 118 points, will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Edmonton is eighth in the Western Conference standings – two points ahead of idle Vancouver – for the final playoff spot.
Thrashers 6, Lightning 2
TAMPA, Fla. – Andy Sutton and Bobby Holik each scored twice and Mike Dunham stopped 32 shots to help Atlanta tighten the race for the last two positions in the Eastern Conference.
Ninth-place Atlanta moved within four points of the eighth-place Lightning and can pull even closer to the defending Stanley Cup champion by beating Washington at home on Thursday night.
Senators 4, Bruins 3, OT
OTTAWA – Zdeno Chara scored twice in his return to Ottawa’s lineup from a hand injury, including the winner 40 seconds into overtime, and the Senators regained the Eastern Conference lead from Carolina.