Spezza sends Stars to summit of West

Center’s hat trick upends Predators

DALLAS — Jason Spezza is feeling much better now. Same for the rest of the Dallas Stars.

Spezza scored three times, including the game-winner with one minute left, as the Stars beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday to clinch the Central Division title and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Spezza’s second of two goals in the second period was No. 300 for his career. It was his second hat trick of the season and the seventh of his career.

The veteran center missed Thursday’s 4-2 victory over Colorado because of an illness.

“Probably helped me to get the rest and not have to play that game,” Spezza said. “It would have been tough on the body.”

Dallas (50-23-9) opens the playoffs Thursday against Minnesota following its first division title since 200506.

The Stars finished with the most points in the West for the first time since 2002-03.

Nashville’s first-round playoff opponent will be the Pacific Division champion, either Los Angeles or Anaheim.

“A real tough ending,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said, “but if you’re looking at the performance right now, which I think is important going into the playoffs, I thought guys played really hard tonight, did some good things.”

On the winning play, John Klingberg dropped a pass to Spezza as he crossed the blue line, and he blasted a slap shot past Carter Hutton, who finished with 21 saves.

Ducks 5, Avalanche 3 — At Denver, Jakob Silfverberg scored twice and Corey Perry had three assists for Anaheim, which dealt Colorado its eighth loss in nine games. The Ducks can win their fourth straight division title with a victory in Washington today. The Avalanche, who missed the playoffs for a second straight year, said before the game that coach Patrick Roy will return for another season. made 27 saves for the Kings, who could have clinched the second division title in the franchise’s 48-season history.

Rangers 3, Red Wings 2 — At New York, Kevin Hayes scored the decisive goal with 5:38 left to back Antti Raanta, who had 31 saves. Despite losing, Detroit reached the playoffs for the 25th straight season when Ottawa defeated Boston.

Flames 2, Wild 1 — At St. Paul, Minn., Patrick Sieloff scored the decisive goal with 5:54 seconds left in his first NHL game to back Niklas Backstrom, who had 35 saves against his former team, sending Minnesota to its fifth straight loss.

Senators 6, Bruins 1 — At Boston, Chris Neil, Zack Smith, Matt Puempel and Mika Zibanejad scored in an 8:18 span of the second period against backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson as Boston was eliminated from playoff contention.

Flyers 3, Penguins 1 — At Philadelphia, Wayne Simmonds scored twice to back Steve Mason, who had 18 saves, as Philadelphia clinched a playoff berth. The Flyers will meet top-seeded Washington in the first round.

Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2 — At Sunrise, Fla., Teddy Purcell, Jussi Jokinen and Aaron Ekblad scored in the first 7:40 to back Roberto Luongo, who had 24 saves and matched his single-season franchise record for wins with 35.

Blue Jackets 5, Blackhawks 4, OT — At Columbus, Ohio, Scott Hartnell scored 2:28 into overtime to cap his two-goal, two-assist night, and Alexander Wennberg had a goal and two assists for Columbus.