Danny Cleary tipped in Brian Rafalski’s shot 2 minutes, 58 seconds into overtime for Detroit’s fourth unanswered goal to lead the Red Wings to a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday, clinching their 20th straight playoff berth.
Justin Abdelkader had two goals, while Jakub Kindl also scored. Rafalski finished with two assists and Jimmy Howard stopped 31 shots in his first game back after missing two with a strained left shoulder.
The Red Wings extended the longest active playoff streak among North America’s four major professional sports. They also got to 100 points for an 11th straight season, extending their NHL record.
Photo: AFP
Ryan Suter had a power-play goal and an assist, Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat scored, while Mike Fisher had two assists for Nashville.
BRUINS 3, THRASHERS 2
In Boston, Michael Ryder scored from a penalty shot with 7 minutes, 29 seconds left to break a third--period tie and help Boston clinch the Northeast Division title.
Ryder stole the puck from Atlanta defenseman Zach Bogosian at center ice and was racing in alone on the goal when he was slashed by Johnny Oduya, before he got to the crease. Ryder was given a penalty shot and he slowly made his way toward Ondrej Pavelec, before wristing it over the goalie’s left shoulder.
Pavelec made 20 saves for the Thrashers, who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.
CANADIENS 3, DEVILS 1
In Newark, New Jersey, the New Jersey Devils will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Mathieu Darche scored twice and Carey Price made 20 saves as the Montreal Canadiens ended the Devils’ run of making the past 13 postseason.
P.K. Subban also scored, while former Devils star Brian Gionta set up both of Darche’s goals as the Canadiens inched closer to clinching a playoff berth with their second win in six games.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored for the Devils with 5 minutes, 59 seconds to play.
This is only the third time in 23 seasons the Devils have missed the playoffs.
HURRICANES 4, ISLANDERS 2
In Uniondale, New York, Erik Cole snapped a tie 6 minutes, 4 seconds into the third period for Carolina, who beat the New York Islanders and moved within one point of eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Joe Corvo, Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal also scored, while Cam Ward made 30 saves for the surging Hurricanes, who scored three goals in the third period.
Jesse Joensuu and John Tavares had goals for the Islanders.
CAPITALS 5, SABRES 4, OT
In Washington, Alex Ovechkin scored 3 minutes, 19 seconds into overtime as Washington beat Buffalo to take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Ovechkin took a shot from the left circle that glanced off the skate of Buffalo defenseman Andrej Sekera and past goaltender Jhonas Enroth.
The Capitals have 103 points, one more than idle Philadelphia. Washington have two games left and the Flyers have three.
SHARKS 4, DUCKS 2
In San Jose, California, Devin Setoguchi scored the tiebreaking goal on the power play with 5 minutes, 21 seconds remaining as San Jose rallied from an early two-goal deficit to beat Anaheim.
Patrick Marleau scored twice and Dany Heatley added his 25th goal for the Sharks, who trailed 2-0 after one period, before coming back for their seventh win in eight games.
Bobby Ryan and Lubomir Visnovsky scored for the Ducks, who had won seven of eight to move into seventh place in the conference.
KINGS 3, STARS 1
In Los Angeles, Matt Greene scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to help Los Angeles down Dallas and move one step closer to a playoff berth.
Thanks to Greene’s second goal of the season, the Kings need just one win in their final four games to secure a second straight playoff appearance.
Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist, Dustin Brown tallied and Jonathan Quick stopped 24 shots for Los Angeles.
Brad Richards scored his 26th goal, while Kari Lehtonen had 29 saves for Dallas, who continued their late-season collapse.
LIGHTNING 3, WILD 1
In St Paul, Minnesota, Dwayne Roloson stopped 29 shots against his old Minnesota team for Tampa Bay to win their fourth straight.
Ryan Malone, Steve Downie and Sean Bergenheim all scored for playoff-bound Tampa Bay.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored and Niklas Backstrom had 20 saves for the Wild, who saw their two-game win streak snapped and were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
In Saturday’s other action, it was:
‧ Penguins 4, Panthers 2
‧ Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
‧ Oilers 4, Canucks 1
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