Jeff Carter scored the go-ahead goal at 7:32 of the third period to help the Philadelphia Flyers clinch a playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers in the NHL on Tuesday.
Carter moved ahead of New Jersey’s Zach Parise for second place in the NHL scoring race with his 45th goal. His shot from the side of the crease dribbled past Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who appeared to lose his balance.
Joffrey Lupul also scored for the Flyers.
Brett McLean scored for the Panthers, who dropped two points behind the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
HURRICANES 9, ISLANDERS 0
At Raleigh, North Carolina, Eric Staal had three goals and an assist as Carolina matched a club record with their ninth straight win by giving the New York Islanders their worst beating in franchise history.
Cam Ward made 12 saves, and his franchise-record 39th victory of the season was his sixth shutout of the year and 12th of his career.
Erik Cole assisted on all three of Staal’s goals and finished with four assists. Tuomo Ruutu scored twice and Scott Walker, Dwight Helminen, Rod Brind’Amour and Frantisek Kaberle also scored for the Hurricanes.
PENGUINS 6, LIGHTNING 4
At Tampa, Florida, Sidney Crosby scored twice in a one-minute, four-second span midway through the second period to help Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay and clinch a playoff berth.
In Tuesday’s other games it was:
• Rangers 3, Canadiens 1
• Maple Leafs 4, Devils 1
• Senators 3, Bruins 2
• Canucks 4, Flames 1
• Wild 3, Stars 1
• Kings 2, Oilers 1
• Blues 5, Coyotes 1
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