Nhl, Playoffs | featured news

Beau Bennett and Evgeni Malkin scored 13 seconds apart in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched the Atlantic Division title by beating the free-falling Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Rookie Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored 55 seconds apart midway through the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks rallied to beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Sunday night to become the first team to clinch a NHL playoff spot this season.

Ryan Carter snapped a tie with 4:24 left, and the New Jersey Devils posted a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers after blowing a three-goal lead in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.

Los Angeles, which has advanced to the finals for the second time in franchise history, is undefeated on the road so far in the playoffs.

Dwight King scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Jonathan Quick made 18 saves, and Los Angeles rolled to the brink of their first Stanley Cup finals in 19 years with a 2-1 victory over Phoenix on Thursday.

Henrik Lundqvist went from shaking his head in disgust to raising his arms in celebration when time finally ran out on the Washington Capitals....

The Washington Capitals have found their identity this spring in being able to respond to tough losses and adversity with aplomb. On Wednesday night, facing elimination against the top-seeded New York Rangers, they came through again, this time with arguably their most dominant performance of the postseason.

The Flyers wanted a physical series, but the Devils wouldn't have it. New Jersey is in the Eastern finals after a 3-1 win in Game 5 and discipline is the reason why, writes Sarah Kwak.

Washington defenseman Mike Green scored on a power play with 5 minutes 48 seconds in the game, giving the Capitals a victory and a 2-2 series tie with the Rangers.

Alexei Ponikarovsky scored on his own rebound with 2:39 left in overtime and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinal series.