Detroit claim initial playoff spot after victory over Dallas

Pavel Datsyuk had two goals and an assist, and the Detroit Red Wings became the first team to secure a NHL playoff spot with a 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

It was the fifth straight win for league-leading Detroit, which reached 100 points for a league-record tying eighth-straight season. Montreal had 100-point seasons from 1975-1982.

Johan Franzen had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings and Mikael Samuelsson and Valtteri Filppula also scored.

Trevor Daley, Jere Lehtinen and Brenden Morrow scored Dallas' goals.

Devils 4, Wild 3, OT

At St Paul, Minnesota, Jamie Langenbrunner scored the shootout winner and New Jersey moved back on top of the Eastern Conference standings with a victory over Minnesota.

Marian Gaborik scored his 35th goal for the Wild, who had a power play to start overtime.

New Jersey's Martin Brodeur has given up seven goals in two games, but was untouchable when it counted. Dainius Zubrus tied the game early in the third period at 3 after the Devils trailed 2-0 early.

Lightning 3, Bruins 1

At Boston, Mike Smith stopped 35 shots, and last-place Tampa Bay got goals from Jeff Halpern and Andreas Karlsson in a victory over slumping Boston.

Vincent Lecavalier made it 3-1 with 7.8 seconds left.

Boston score until Chuck Kobasew tipped Marco Sturm's slap shot from the point into the net to make it 2-1 with 12:03 left. The Bruins have managed just one win in seven games.

In other NHL action on Thursday if was:

? Senators 3, Canadiens 0

? Thrashers 6, Flames 4

? Kings 4, Predators 1

? Coyotes 2, Canucks 0

? Avalanche 5, Oilers 1