WASHINGTON (AP) — Fourth-liner Tom Wilson atoned for two penalties by scoring the winning goal early in the third period as the Washington Capitals clinched the Presidents’ Trophy by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 Monday night.
The Capitals needed only a point to clinch the NHL’s best record this season and wrapped up home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs with seven games left. Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie also scored and Nicklas Backstrom added an empty-netter for Washington, which has an NHL-leading 113 points.
Sharks 5, Kings 2
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Joe Thornton scored a tiebreaking, power-play goal early in the third period to help send San Jose back to the playoffs with a victory over Los Angeles.
Justin Braun added two goals, Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson also scored and the Sharks will return to the postseason after their run of 10 straight trips was snapped last season. Martin Jones made 30 saves.
Vincent Lecavalier scored twice for the first-place Kings, who had their lead in the Pacific Division cut to one point over second-place Anaheim. The Ducks are four points ahead of the third-place Sharks and have a game in hand over both of their California rivals.
Lightning 3, Maple Leafs 0
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Victor Hedman had a goal and an assist, Ben Bishop made 34 saves and Tampa Bay beat Toronto to move into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Lightning’s other goals came from Mike Blunden and Ondrej Palat. Steven Stamkos and Erik Condra each had two assists.
Ducks 2, Oilers 1
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Corey Perry scored his 31st goal of the season and John Gibson made 27 saves to help Anaheim beat Edmonton.
Brandon Pirri also scored for the playoff-bound Ducks, who are trying to catch the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division.
Flyers 3, Jets 2 (OT)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Claude Giroux scored at 4:46 of overtime, and Philadelphia beat Winnipeg for a crucial win for playoff positioning.
Giroux also had an assist and Wayne Simmonds and Mark Streit scored in regulation for the Flyers, who began play tied with Detroit for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Avalanche 4, Predators 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Blake Comeau had a goal and an assist, and Colorado used a fast start to edge Nashville.
Gabriel Landeskog and Jack Skille also scored in the first, helping Colorado chase Pekka Rinne at 11:40 after giving up three goals on 10 shots faced. Shawn Matthias’s goal in the third wound up the game-winner.
Red Wings 3, Sabres 2
DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin, Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening scored and Detroit held on for a victory against Buffalo.
Detroit desperately needed the two points to boost its chances of extending the franchise’s postseason streak to 25.
The Red Wings pulled within a point of Boston for the third and final guaranteed spot from the Atlantic Division. Both teams have six games left in the regular season.
Flames 5, Coyotes 2
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Bennett scored twice, Sean Monahan had a goal and two assists and Calgary avoid a season sweep by Arizona.
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