Lightning/NHL

Thrashers win, keep pace in playoff derby

By Wire services
Published April 16, 2006

ATLANTA - Andy Sutton is doing his part to get the Thrashers to the playoffs for the first time.

The Thrashers defenseman scored twice, including the winning goal with 10:51 remaining, and Atlanta kept alive its postseason hopes by rallying for a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

Sutton's second two-goal game of the season came four days after his first in a crucial 6-2 win over Tampa Bay, the team the Thrashers are chasing for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Thrashers have two games remaining; Tampa Bay has one, on Tuesday against Washington.

"I really want to make the playoffs," Sutton said. "This is my eighth year as a pro, and I've yet to play in a playoff game. That eats at me a lot. You never know how many years you have left. I want to make the most of them."

Boston, out of the playoffs and playing its finale, jumped ahead 2-0 before the game was 11 minutes old and was up 3-2 heading to the third period.

But the Thrashers rallied for their sixth win in the past eight games, keeping the pressure on the Lightning.

FLYERS 4, RANGERS 1: Jeff Carter set up two Flyers goals with cross-ice passes and Antero Niittymaki hsd 25 saves as host Philadelphia closed within a point of New York for the Atlantic Division lead. The Flyers are in second place but control the division - if they win their final two games, they would win the title. Philadelphia plays today at New Jersey and Tuesday at the Islanders; the Rangers have only Tuesday's game against Ottawa left.

SHARKS 6, MIGHTY DUCKS 3: Jonathan Cheechoo took the league lead in goals with a hat trick and Joe Thornton took the scoring lead with three points as host San Jose clinched fifth place in the West with its eighth straight win, extending its franchise record. Thornton, who has 125 points, and Cheechoo, with 56 goals, both passed Jaromir Jagr. The Rangers star, who has 54 goals and 122 points, didn't score in his team's loss to Philadelphia.

SABRES 4, CANADIENS 2: Chris Drury and J.P. Dumont scored early in the third and Teppo Numminen added an empty-net goal for visiting Buffalo, which left Montreal short of a playoff spot. Montreal needs one point in its season finale Tuesday against New Jersey to clinch its second straight postseason trip.

MAPLE LEAFS 5, SENATORS 1: Mats Sundin had a goal and an assist for host Toronto, which was eliminated from playoff contention less than an hour after the game when the Lightning won. The Maple Leafs, 8-0-2 in their past 10 games, will miss the playoffs for the first time since Pat Quinn became coach in 1999.

STARS 4, WILD 3 (OT): Trevor Daley scored the winner with 33.7 seconds left in overtime for Dallas, which had squandered a 3-1 lead in the third. Daley said of the short slap shot, Dallas' only shot in overtime, "I just closed my eyes and let it go." Minnesota's Marian Gaborik tied it 7:48 into the third.

JACKETS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2: David Vyborny scored twice and had an assist in the third for host Columbus, which set a franchise mark for points with 72. The inaugural team in 2000-01 had 71.

ISLANDERS 5, PENGUINS 4 (SO): Robert Nilsson scored in the sixth round of the shootout to win for host New York. Pittsburgh's Andy Hilbert tied it with 1:41 left in regulation.

PREDATORS 5, COYOTES 1: Chris Mason was credited with a goal and had 23 saves for his fifth consecutive victory for host Nashville. In the third period a goal was given to Mason when Phoenix shot the puck into its own net on a delayed penalty.

RED WINGS 3, BLUES 2: Henrik Zetterberg scored with 9 seconds to play to win for Detroit, which earned its 12th consecutive road victory. Jamal Mayers tied it in the second for St. Louis.

CAPITALS 2, PANTHERS 1 (SO): Brent Johnson stopped Jozef Stumpel's shootout attempt to win it for visiting Washington. Capitals rookie sensation Alex Ovechkin tied it in the second with his 51st goal.

ALL-STAR GAME: The league will hold its 2008 All-Star Game in Atlanta, team and league officials said. The city lost the 2005 game due to a season-canceling labor dispute. The 2008 game will be at Philips Arena on Jan. 16.

[Last modified April 16, 2006, 00:43:12]