Thrashers beat Carolina to win first division title

The Florida Panthers' Stephen Weiss, left, celebrates his team's second goal of the first period as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Shane O'Brien, right, and goalie Johan Holmqvist look on during their NHL game on Friday in Tampa, Florida. PHOTO: AP

Ilya Kovalchuk, Pascal Dupuis and Marian Hossa scored to lead the Atlanta Thrashers over the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 and to their first NHL division title on Friday.

Johan Hedberg finished with 32 saves for the Thrashers, who clinched the Southeast Division when Tampa Bay lost 7-2 at home to Florida. Eric Belanger added a late goal for Atlanta.

Anson Carter scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost five of six games -- a stretch that cost them a chance to defend their Stanley Cup title.

Panthers 7, Lightning 2

At Tampa, Florida, Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist and Ville Peltonen set up three goals to lead Florida past Tampa Bay.

The Panthers chased Lightning goalie Johan Holmqvist with four goals in their first 12 shots. Backup Marc Denis took over with 1:48 left in the first period.

Nathan Horton opened the scoring 3 minutes in with his career-high 31st goal. Noah Welch, David Booth and Jay Bouwmeester also scored in the first period, while Panthers goalie Ed Belfour faced only three shots.

Jason Ward spoiled the shutout with 8:41 to go and Nick Tarnasky scored 45 seconds later.

Stars 2, Ducks 1, SO

At Dallas, Vladislav Nagy converted in the fourth round to send Dallas to a shootout victory that kept Anaheim from clinching its first Pacific Division title.

Jussi Jokinen, Sergei Zubov and Mike Modano failed to score in the shootout for the Stars before Nagy beat Anaheim goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Stars Marty Turco stopped Corey Perry in the fourth round to give Dallas the victory after Anaheim's first three shooters -- Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne -- were unable to convert.

With a point for the overtime loss, the first-place Ducks eliminated the Stars from title contention in the Pacific Division.

Anaheim improved to 108 points, two better than San Jose.