Coyotes clinch rare playoff berth

The Phoenix Coyotes, the surprise team of the NHL, celebrated their first playoff berth since 2002 with a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche behind Lee Stempniak's two goals on Saturday night at Glendale, Ariz.

The Coyotes clinched the postseason spot earlier in the day when Calgary lost to Boston.

Bruins 5, Flames 0: Tim Thomas stopped 31 shots for his first shutout since Dec. 21, leading Boston past visiting Calgary.

Stars 4, Kings 1: Brad Richards scored twice, leading Dallas at Los Angeles.

Penguins 4, Flyers 1: Sidney Crosby had three assists and host Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia.

Sabres 7, Lightning 1: Patrick Lalime won his 200th career game and host Buffalo clinched its first playoff berth in three years with a rout of Tampa Bay.

Senators 3, Panthers 2: Daniel Alfredsson scored the winning goal early in the third period and Brian Elliott made 20 saves for Ottawa, which beat visiting Florida for its fourth straight victory.

Thrashers 4, Hurricanes 0: At Raleigh, N.C., Rich Peverley and Evgeny Artyukhin scored 57 seconds apart in the second period to help Atlanta beat Carolina.

Devils 4, Canadiens 2: Patrik Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner had power-play goals and Dainius Zubrus also scored for New Jersey, which clinched its 13th straight playoff berth with a win at Montreal.

Sharks 4, Canucks 2: Patrick Marleau had a goal and two assists, leading host San Jose past Vancouver.

Red Wings 1, Predators 0, SO: Niklas Kronwall's shootout goal lifted Detroit at Nashville.

Maple Leafs 3, Rangers 2, OT: Nikolai Kulemin scored 39 seconds into overtime and Jonas Gustavsson made 36 saves to outduel Swedish counterpart Henrik Lundqvist in Toronto's comeback victory over visiting New York.

Islanders 4, Blue Jackets 3, OT: Josh Bailey scored 2:58 into overtime to complete New York's rally at Columbus.