Around the League notebook for Thursday, March 26

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE (Click chart below to zoom)	WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE (Click chart below to zoom)
Related information: "If the playoffs started today ..."  |  Current playoffs standings

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps

Anaheim 3, BOSTON 2 (OT)

Arizona 4, BUFFALO 3 (OT)

Los Angeles 3, NY ISLANDERS 2

WASHINGTON 3, New Jersey 2 (OT)

CAROLINA 5, Pittsburgh 2

Florida 4, TORONTO 1

NY Rangers 5, OTTAWA 1

San Jose 6, DETROIT 4

Nashville 3, TAMPA BAY 2

WINNIPEG 5, Montreal 2

Colorado 4, VANCOUVER 1

2014 STANLEY CUP FINALISTS PUNCH TICKET TO POSTSEASON

The New York Rangers (47-19-7, 101 points) picked up a 5-1 win against the Ottawa Senators; coupled with the Boston Bruins' loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the Rangers became the first team to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The defending Eastern Conference-champion Rangers are headed to the postseason for the fifth straight year and 57th time in franchise history. They also passed the Montreal Canadiens (46-21-8, 100 points), who lost in regulation, in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.

* The Rangers reached the 100-point plateau for the eighth time in franchise history and for the first time since 2011-12 (51-24-7, 109 points). New York hit the century mark in their 73rd game of the season; Elias says that is tied for the second-fewest games to 100 points in franchise history (67 GP in 1971-72; finished 48-17-13, 109 points).

* Chris Kreider (2-1—3) matched a career high with three points, all in the first period, to help the Rangers improve to 9-2-1 in their past 12 games. He reached the 20-goal and 40-point plateaus for the first time in his career (20-20—40).

* Cam Talbot made 23 saves to improve to 16-4-3 in his past 23 games dating to Feb. 4 and 20-8-4 overall in 2014-15. The Rangers have two goaltenders -- Talbot and Henrik Lundqvist (25-11-3) -- with at least 20 wins each in the same season for just the fifth time in franchise history. The only other duos to accomplish the feat for the club: Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck (1991-92) and Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure (1970-71, 1971-72 and 1972-73).

* Mats Zuccarello (1-1—2), Dan Boyle (1-1—2), Derek Stepan (0-2—2) and Kevin Hayes (0-2—2) all had multiple points. Tanner Glass scored his first goal since Jan. 30, 2014 at LAK (w/ PIT).

* The Rangers earned their sixth straight win as visitors and improved to 24-10-2 (50 points) on the road this season to move within one win and three points of tying franchise records set in 2013-14 and 2011-12, respectively. They have five road games remaining (BOS, WPG, MIN, NJD, WSH).

* The Rangers improved to 9-2-1 in their 12 regular-season games in Ottawa dating to Jan. 10, 2009.

DEFENDING CHAMPS MOVE BACK INTO PLAYOFF PICTURE

Jonathan Quick made 25 saves, including 15 in the second period, and Anze Kopitar broke a deadlock with 4:23 left in regulation to lift the Los Angeles Kings to their third straight win, 3-2 against the New York Islanders.

* At 37-23-14 (88 points), the Kings passed the idle Calgary Flames (40-27-7, 87 points) into third place in the Pacific Division. They moved within two points of the Vancouver Canucks (43-27-4, 90 points), who lost in regulation, for the No. 2 seed in the division.

* Quick has been in net for each of the Kings' past three victories and improved to 33-19-12 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 65 appearances this season.

* The Kings' franchise leader in games played by a goaltender, Quick became the 11th U.S.-born netminder to play in 400 NHL games.

* Kopitar stretched his point streak to five games (2-6—8) with his 31st career game-winning goal (fourth this season). He leads the Kings with 16-44—60, marking the eighth time he has reached the 60-point mark since he entered the NHL in 2006-07.

* Tyler Toffoli scored his fifth shorthanded goal of 2014-15 to take over the League lead. Only Bernie Nicholls has scored more shorthanded goals in a single season for the Kings (eight in 1988-89 and seven in 1987-88).

* Alec Martinez had two assists, including one on Nick Shore's first NHL goal (28 GP).

DUCKS CLIMB INTO TOP SPOT IN WEST

Ryan Getzlaf assisted on Corey Perry's tying goal with 39 seconds left in regulation and then scored the game-winner at 3:09 of overtime to help the Anaheim Ducks defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2. The Ducks picked up their League-leading 16th win past regulation (OT: 8, SO: 8) and snapped a two-game skid against the Bruins.

* The Ducks (47-22-7, 101 points) eclipsed 100 points for the second straight season (2013-14: 54-20-8, 116 points) and for the fourth time in franchise history (also 2006-07 and 2007-08). They have the second-most wins through 76 games in franchise history, trailing only the 2013-14 club (50-18-8, 108 points).

* Getzlaf (1-1—2) scored his sixth game-winner of the season and 40th of his career to move within one of his career high set in 2013-14. He scored his seventh career overtime goal (second this season, Feb. 3 vs. CAR) to move past Teemu Selanne and Perry (six apiece) for first place in franchise history.

* Perry scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the season to stretch his point streak to four games (4-1—5) and move within one point of 600 in his NHL career (295-304—599).

* Frederik Andersen made 27 saves to earn his 32nd win of the season and improve to 15-5-3 on the road in 2014-15 (2.44 GAA, .908 save percentage). Patrick Maroon scored the other goal in regulation.

* The Ducks improved to 22-12-4 away from home in 2014-15. Their 22 road wins this season are second only to the 25 such victories they posted in 2013-14 (25-12-4, 54 points).

* At 30-1-7 (.789 winning percentage), the Ducks lead the League in both wins and winning percentage in one-goal games this season. The last time any team had at least 30 wins in one-goal games was in 2006-07 (NJD: 32-7-9, .760 and VAN: 30-11-7, .698).

PREDATORS KEEP PACE, TAKE LEAD IN CENTRAL

Pekka Rinne made 28 saves to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, their third straight win, fourth consecutive game with a point and fifth 100-point season in franchise history.

* At 46-21-8 (100 points), the Predators pulled past the idle St. Louis Blues (46-21-7, 99 points) into first place in the Central Division. They also kept pace with the Ducks (47-22-7, 101 points) in the battle for top spot in the Western Conference.

* Rinne tied Montreal's Carey Price for the League lead with 40 wins this season, three shy of his career high set in 2011-12 -- the only other time a Predators goaltender hit the 40-win mark.

* Michael Santorelli, who began his NHL career with Nashville, scored his first goal in a Predators uniform since Nov. 10, 2009. It stood as his eighth career game-winning goal and second this season (Nov. 9 at OTT w/ TOR).

* Mike Ribeiro and Paul Gaustad provided the other goals. Roman Josi had his 53rd point of the season (14-39—53) to move into fourth place in the NHL among defensemen.

* The Predators earned their sixth victory in seven games against the Lightning dating to Dec. 15, 2009. They also improved to 11-4-1 against Atlantic Division opponents this season.

CAPITALS, PANTHERS GAIN GROUND IN EAST

The Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers each won Thursday to inch closer to the teams they are chasing in the Metropolitan Division and wild-card race, respectively.

* Steve Bernier scored with 30 seconds left in regulation to help the New Jersey Devils force overtime, but Matt Niskanen scored the game-winner at 1:13 to lift the Capitals to a 3-2 win, their fourth in five games.

* The Capitals (40-24-10, 90 points) narrowed the gap on the Pittsburgh Penguins (40-23-11, 91 points) and New York Islanders (44-26-5, 93 points), who each lost in regulation, as the teams jockey for position in the Metropolitan Division.

* Braden Holtby made 29 saves, including 11 each in the second and third periods, to help the Capitals reach the 40-win mark for the 15th time in franchise history. Holtby has been in net for 36 of those victories, a career high and the third-most ever by a Capitals goaltender (Olie Kolzig: 41 in 1999-00 and 37 in 2000-01).

* Niskanen scored his 11th career game-winning goal and first in overtime; his last game-winning goal was on March 4, 2014 at NSH (w/ PIT). Eric Fehr and Karl Alzner scored the other Capitals goals.

* The Capitals won four of five against the Devils in 2014-15, outscoring them 17-6.

* The Panthers opened up a lead with three goals in the second period -- including two in 30 seconds -- en route to a 4-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, their third in four games. At 34-26-14 (82 points), they pulled within three points of the Senators (37-25-11, 85 points) for the final wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

* Brandon Pirri (2-0—2) had his second career multigoal game to reach the 20-goal plateau for the first time. He has seven goals in his past seven games.

* Jonathan Huberdeau scored his 13th goal of the season, one shy of his career high set in 2012-13. Steven Kampfer scored his second career game-winning goal (Jan. 13, 2011 vs. PHI w/ BOS). Aleksander Barkov (0-2—2) had his 17th assist of the season, surpassing his rookie total from 2013-14.

* Roberto Luongo (24 saves) improved to 3-1-0 in his past four games and 26-17-11 this season. He is one win shy of 400 in his career and two back of Chris Osgood (401) for 10th in NHL history.

PAVELEC, JETS CONTINUE WINNING STEAKS

Ondrej Pavelec made 39 saves, including 20 in the first period, to help the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. The Jets improved to 6-1-0 in their past seven games and earned their first home win against the Canadiens since Dec. 22, 2011.

* The Jets (39-24-12, 90 points) maintained the final playoff position in the Western Conference and pulled within one point of the idle Minnesota Wild (42-25-7, 91 points) for the first wild card. Minnesota owns a game in hand and the ROW tiebreaker (MIN: 38, WPG: 32).

* Pavelec earned his sixth consecutive victory to match a career high and franchise record established from Nov. 19-30, 2010 with the Atlanta Thrashers. The longest point streak in franchise history also belongs to Pavelec, a seven-game run from April 4-22, 2013 (6-0-1).

* The Jets won their fourth straight at MTS Centre, where they have won 12 of their past 16 games (12-2-2) dating to Jan. 13.

* Drew Stafford extended his career-high point streak to eight games (4-6—10). He has 7-9—16 in 19 games since being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 11.

* Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Stafford is the third player to record an eight-game point streak for the Jets this season (also Mathieu Perreault and Michael Frolik). That is one more than the team achieved in their first three seasons in Winnipeg: Evander Kane (twice, in 2011-12 and 2012-13) and Tobias Enstrom (in 2012-13). No one has posted a point streak of nine or more games for the club in that span.

* Dustin Byfuglien scored in his first game since March 4. Jim Slater (1-1—2), Adam Lowry and Blake Wheeler provided the other goals. Andrew Ladd had an assist to set and match career highs for assists (35) and points (59) in a season, respectively.

SHARKS, AVALANCHE KEEP PACE IN WEST

The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche each earned wins Thursday to keep their playoff push alive.

* The Sharks and Detroit Red Wings combined for five goals in each of the first and third periods, but Patrick Marleau's goals in the third led San Jose to a 6-4 win, its seventh in eight visits to Joe Louis Arena since Feb. 11, 2010.

* Marleau (2-1—3) had his first three-point game since April 11, 2014 vs. COL and first two-goal game since March 13, 2014 at CBJ. He has 17-35—52 this season, marking the 11th time he has reached the 50-point plateau.

* Marc-Edouard Vlasic started the scoring just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff. Elias says the goal was the second-fastest by a defenseman to start a game in Sharks history, six seconds shy of the mark set by Vlasic on Oct. 30, 2013 at LAK.

* Logan Couture (1-1—2), Chris Tierney (1-1—2) and Matt Nieto scored the other Sharks goals. Couture has 7-7—14 in 15 games vs. DET.

* The Avalanche built a three-goal lead in the second period and Reto Berra made 33 saves, including 17 in the third period, to help them snap a three-game skid with a 4-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks.

* Jarome Iginla scored his team-leading 26th goal, his fifth in his past seven games. He leads all active players with 32-48—80 vs. VAN (94 GP), including 3-2—5 this season. Iginla (586-633—1,219) tied Jean Beliveau (507-712—1,219) for 40th on the NHL's all-time points list.

* Ryan O'Reilly (0-2—2) had his third straight multipoint game (also 1-2—3 at EDM, 0-2—2 at CGY) to stretch his point streak to six (4-7—11). He is the third Avalanche player in the past two seasons to record multiple points in three straight road games; Paul Stastny (Jan. 4-8, 2014; 3 GP) and Nathan MacKinnon (Jan. 21-Feb. 1, 2014) accomplished the feat in 2013-14.

* Berra won his first game since Nov. 6 vs. TOR. Alex Tanguay (1-1—2) and Gabriel Landeskog (1-1—2) each had two points, while John Mitchell scored the fourth goal into an empty net.

AROUND THE RINKS

Highlights from the rest of the 11-game slate Thursday:

* The Carolina Hurricanes fell behind before the four-minute mark but scored five straight goals, highlighted by 1-2—3 from Eric Staal, to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. The Hurricanes snapped a four-game slide (0-2-2) and earned their first home win against the Penguins since Feb. 28, 2013. Staal reached the 20-goal mark for the ninth time in his career and had at least three points for the 63rd time (3x in 2014-15). Cam Ward made 27 saves, including 13 in the first period, to improve to 14-7-3 in 24 games against the Penguins (2.35 GAA, .924 SV%). Brad Malone had two assists.

* Sabres captain Brian Gionta tied the game with 3:37 left in regulation, but Sam Gagner scored 56 seconds into overtime to lift the Arizona Coyotes to a 4-3 win and consecutive wins for the first time since Feb. 1 at MTL and Feb. 3 at CBJ. Gagner (1-1—2) scored his eighth career game-winning goal and second in overtime (Jan. 24, 2013 vs. LAK w/ EDM). Oliver Ekman-Larsson assisted on the play after scoring in regulation. His 21 goals lead all NHL defensemen and are the third most by a defenseman in Coyotes/Jets history behind Phil Housley (1990-91 and 1991-92: 23) and Dave Ellett (1988-89: 22). Mike Smith made 32 saves to earn back-to-back wins for the second time this season.

LOOSE PUCKS

Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond suffered his first career regulation loss after earning a point in each of his first 15 career starts (14-0-1) . . . Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher stretched his career-high goal streak to four games (4-0—4) while playing in his 200th career game . . . Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (0-1—1) pulled ahead in the NHL scoring race with 24-51—75 . . . Michel Therrien coached his 395th game behind the Canadiens bench, passing Cecil Hart into fourth in franchise history . . . Maple Leafs forward Casey Bailey made his NHL debut after signing with the club on Saturday . . . Maple Leafs forward Sam Carrick scored his first NHL goal (14 GP) . . . Panthers forward Dave Bolland (400), Capitals forward Jason Chimera (400) and Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (200) each played in milestone games . . . The Department of Player Safety suspended Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll for three games for an illegal check to the head of Ducks forward Patrick Maroon . . . The Canucks celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Vancouver Millionaires' Stanley Cup win by showing a commemorative video and wearing special replica jerseys during game against the Avalanche . . . Young Bruins fan Liam Fitzgerald, who became an internet sensation earlier this season after fist-bumping players on the bench, was presented with his own hockey card during the ANA-BOS game.