Sharks Enjoy Making Some Playoff Plans

Evgeni Nabokov was magnificent when San Jose needed him most, stopping 28 shots in his sixth shutout of the season as the Sharks clinched a playoff berth with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.

The Sharks also eliminated the Coyotes from the playoff race and clinched postseason berths for the Kings and Vancouver. The Canucks’ 3-2 overtime victory over the Kings on Thursday night gave both teams 90 points--two more than Phoenix, which has fewer victories than both teams and only one game left.

After Patrick Marleau’s second-period goal broke a scoreless tie, Teemu Selanne scored twice--including an empty-netter--in the third period, giving him seven goals in the Sharks’ last four games.

Nabokov’s team-record 32nd victory also pushed San Jose into fifth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Edmonton with a game in hand on the Oilers.

Detroit 4, Atlanta 0--Martin Lapointe scored two goals and Nicklas Lidstrom had three assists at Detroit to help the Red Wings extend their home unbeaten streak to 18 games.

The Red Wings, who have not lost at home since Dec. 27, tied the franchise record set in 1931-32 and 1954-55. Detroit is an NHL-best 18-4-5 since the all-star break.

Manny Legace stopped 16 shots and helped Detroit to its first shutout at home since Oct. 2, 1999.

Montreal 3, Philadelphia 2--Saku Koivu scored his 17th goal with 7:59 left in the third period and Brian Savage scored 3:49 into overtime at Montreal as the Canadiens denied the Flyers a crucial point in their bid for home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Flyers earned one point from the loss and drew even with the idle Buffalo Sabres for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Washington 3, Florida 0--Olaf Kolzig made 28 saves at Washington for his fifth shutout of the season in helping the Capitals end a three-game losing streak.

Steve Konowalchuk, Jeff Halpern and Dainius Zubrus scored for the Capitals.

St. Louis 4, Columbus 1--Scott Young scored twice at St. Louis to reach the 40-goal mark for the first time and help the Blues end a five-game winless streak.

N.Y. Rangers 4, Tampa Bay 3--Manny Malhotra scored with 1:37 left in overtime as the Rangers won at Tampa, Fla.

New York’s Michal Grosek had tied the game with 8:08 left in the third period.

Nashville 4, Calgary 0--Mike Dunham had 33 saves and Cliff Ronning had a power-play goal and two assists as the Predators won at Nashville.

Around the League

Forward Scott Walker of the Nashville Predators and goalies Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers and Fred Brathwaite of the Calgary Flames were added to Team Canada’s roster for the world hockey championships.