Rangers become first team to lock up postseason berth

NEW YORK — Adam Fox scored 36 seconds into overtime, and the New York Rangers became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Philadelphia

Flyers 6-5 following a wild third period. Alexis Lafreniere had two goals and Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves for the Rangers, who lead the league with 100 points after giving coach Peter Laviolette his 800th career win. New York technically secured its third consecutive playoff berth just by getting to overtime and earning one point after Detroit lost to Washington in OT. But after the teams traded seven goals in a frenetic third period, it didn’t take long for Fox to finish the night in style with a wrist shot from the high slot for his career-best 15th goal.

■ Coyotes 6, Blue Jackets 2: At Tempe, Ariz., Josh Doan had two goals, including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game, to hand Columbus its fifth straight loss.

■ Oilers 4, Jets 3: At Winnipeg, Manitoba, Zach Hyman scored his 51st goal of the season 1:22 into overtime, sending Winnipeg to its fourth straight loss.

■ Capitals 4, Red Wings 3: At Washington, Dylan Strome scored his second goal of the game in overtime for Washington, which won its third in a row.

■ Penguins 4, Hurricanes 1: At Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists, and Pittsburgh scored two goals on just five shots in the second period.

■ Kraken 4, Ducks 0: At Seattle, Eeli Tolvanan and Matty Beniers each had a goal and an assist as Seattle halted an eight-game losing streak.

■ Stars 6, Sharks 3: At San Jose, Calif., Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston each scored two goals for Dallas, which won its fifth straight.

■ Canadiens 2, Avalanche 1: At Denver,

Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia scored for Montreal, which snapped Colorado’s nine-game win streak.

■ Bruins 4, Panthers 3: At Sunrise, Fla., Pavel Zacha scored the winning goal with 2:21 to play to hand Florida its fifth loss in six games.

■ Devils 6, Maple Leafs 3: At Toronto, Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists to back Jake Allen, who had 42 saves.

■ Blackhawks 3, Flames 1: At Chicago,

Jason Dickinson scored twice to back Petr Mrazek, who made 40 saves.

Peter K. Afriyie The Associated Press The New York Rangers celebrate a goal by Mika Zibanejad, obscured at center, that helped them clinch a playoff spot.