NHL: Senators shut out Rangers; Jets, Flames, Wings clinch, Bruins lose
Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris scored in a 1:04 span late in the second period as the Ottawa Senators’ continued their dazzling playoff push behind goaltender Andrew Hammond with a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Hammond had 26 saves in collecting his third shutout as the Senators improved to 22-4-4 since Feb. 10, giving them 97 points in the wild five-team race for the final four playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Hammond has been the difference for Ottawa. The 27-year-old is 19-1-2 since taking over as the starting goaltender on Feb. 8, and this win over the Presidents’ Cup winners avenged his only loss.
The loss in their regular-season home finale prevented the Rangers (52-21-7) from breaking their franchise record for wins (52) and points (112), both set in 1993-94, the last time they won the Stanley Cup. New York will close its season at Washington on Saturday. AVS 1, JETS 0 (SO): The Winnipeg Jets clinched their first playoff spot in eight seasons Thursday night despite a 1-0 shootout loss to the Avalanche.
The Jets received help from Calgary to squeeze into the playoffs as a wild card when the Flames beat Los Ange- les. The last time the franchise made the post-season was in 2006-07, when the team was the Atlanta Thrashers. FLAMES 3, KINGS 1: The Calgary Flames clinched a playoff berth for the first time in six years with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
Calgary also eliminated the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings from post-season contention. The Flames will face the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of playoffs. PANTHERS 4, BRUINS 2: Roberto Luongo earned his 401st career win and Jaromir Jagr got his 1,800th career point Thursday night, helping the Florida Panthers beat Boston 4-2, damaging the Bruins’ playoff hopes.
The Bruins have lost two straight after winning their previous five games. They trail Ottawa by two points and Pittsburgh by one for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bruins have the tie-breaker over the Sens and finish Saturday at Tampa Bay. HABS 4, RED WINGS 3: Lars Eller scored 1:21 into overtime to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night — giving Carey Price a team record with his 43rd win.
The Wings (42-25-14) reached the post-season for a 24th consecutive season despite the defeat.