Briere’s SO goal gives Flyers key win (AP)

The Philadelphia Flyers are living on the edge, earning key points with clutch goals and desperately trying to hold on in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. For the second straight night, the Flyers got even late in the third period. After taking a tough shootout loss in New Jersey, Philadelphia turned this comeback into a 4-3 shootout win Saturday over the New York Islanders.
Crosby, Pens top Rangers, take over 1st in East
Bruins move up a spot in Eastern playoff race
Caps continue playoff push, top Panthers (AP)

The Washington Capitals wrapped up their longest road trip of the season in style, and kept their playoff hopes very much alive in the process. Cristobal Huet stopped 32 shots for his fourth shutout of the season, and Viktor Kozlov had a goal and two assists as the Capitals continued their playoff push with a 3-0 victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.
Blackhawks edge Blues to stay alive
Penguins beat Rangers, move atop East (AP)

Evgeni Malkin skated off the ice with a nasty gash on his left cheek, a souvenir from a game that was better suited for May than for March. For the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are close to full strength for the first time in weeks, the playoffs already seem to have arrived. Sidney Crosby set up goals by Marian Hossa and Malkin and the Penguins, on the verge of clinching their division, moved into…
Stralman, Tlusty lead Leafs over Habs (AP)

The Montreal Canadiens went into their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs hoping to build on their Eastern Conference lead. Not so fast. Rookies Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty each scored two goals and the Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 4-2 on Saturday night. “We were looking for an easy game, but it wasn’t easy,” Christopher Higgins said.
Hurricanes lose, Southeast lead cut to 2 (AP)

The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t playing like a team that will miss the playoffs. Their latest victory could eventually prove costly to the Carolina Hurricanes. Jeff Halpern scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and Karri Ramo made 38 saves to lead the Lightning past the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes 2-1 on Saturday night.
Sabres on brink of playoff elimination (AP)
Dressed in sweats and running shoes, Buffalo Sabres players were hardly noticed in working their way through the crowd of parents and children packing the hallways of a suburban ice rink complex before the team’s brief workout Saturday. It was an unusual experience for anyone not to take a second look at a group of athletes who, only a year earlier, had captivated this hockey-mad community by…
Avery hated by fans, but can get the job done
Sean Avery may be one of the most hated players in hockey, but he’s definitely good at what he does, Brad Kurtzberg says.
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