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Weekes takes Rangers to first playoff this millennium

The New York Rangers' Fedor Tyutin, left, collides with the Philadelphia Flyers' Brian Savage during the first period of their NHL match on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York. PHOTO: AP

Kevin Weekes turned jeers into cheers on Tuesday, lifting the New York Rangers into the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

The backup goalie, playing in place of injured Henrik Lundqvist, stopped Peter Forsberg and Michal Handzus in the shootout after making 21 regular saves to give the Rangers a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Michael Nylander scored in regulation and the shootout, and Martin Straka added a goal for the Rangers, who stretched their Atlantic Division lead over the Flyers to three points with each team having seven games left.

Once the Rangers got into overtime, the NHL's longest active playoff drought ended.

Jaromir Jagr, who has an NHL-high 115 points, got seven of the Rangers' 18 shots in the third period and 12 overall. Jagr, who earlier in the game was stopped on a partial breakaway by goalie Robert Esche and then had another drive snatched by the goalie's glove, has nine of his 52 goals against Esche this season.

Canadiens 5, Bruins 3

At Montreal, Chris Higgins scored and Montreal finished with three power-play goals to beat Boston.

Montreal, which beat Boston 2-0 on Saturday to eliminate the Bruins from playoff contention, won its seventh straight game.

Jan Bulis, Michael Ryder and Saku Koivu scored power-play goals and Aaron Downey added another at even strength as the Canadiens tied New Jersey for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 87 points. Montreal is two points ahead of Tampa Bay, which currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot, and nine ahead of ninth-place Atlanta.

Bruins center Patrice Bergeron scored twice and set up Marco Sturm's goal.

Wild 5, Blues 4, SO

At St. Paul, Minnesota, Brian Rolston scored the winning goal and rookie goaltender Josh Harding stopped two of three shots in the shootout as Minnesota edged St. Louis.

After allowing a goal by Keith Tkachuk in the first round of the shootout, Harding, who was making his first career start, stopped shots by Dean McAmmond and Petr Cajanek to set up Rolston's winner.

Minnesota's leading point scorer took the puck at center ice, skated in on the right side and slid the puck through goaltender Reinhard Divis' five-hole. The play had to be reviewed before officials ultimately ruled the puck crossed the goal line.

Divis allowed goals by Mikko Koivu and Rolston in the shootout, which would have ended a round sooner had Minnesota's Marian Gaborik not hit the post with his attempt.

Mike Glumac had a goal and an assist and McAmmond added two assists for the Blues, who haven't won in their last 11 games.

Mighty Ducks 6, Kings 2

At Anaheim, California, Teemu Selanne scored two goals, including the winner, as Anaheim thrashed Los Angeles for its seventh straight home victory.

Breaking down the left wing during an Anaheim power play, Selanne moved the puck to Andy McDonald, who feathered a pass back to Selanne.

Selanne, who also added two assists, sent a slap shot over goalie Matheiu Garon with 15:55 to play to give the Ducks their ninth win in 11 games.

The Ducks used three power-play goals to erase two early Kings leads and take control of the game. Selanne netted one in the first period, while Joffrey Lupul had another in the second.
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