The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who came into the league as an expansion team four years ago, clinched their first playoff berth Friday night with a 3-2 victory over visiting Dallas.
The Mighty Ducks, led by Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya, ran their record to 34-33-13 for 81 points and also ended the Stars’ seven-game victory streak and 11-game unbeaten string.
Selanne had a goal, his 49th, and assisted on Anaheim’s other two scores, including feeding Kariya for the go-ahead goal with nine seconds remaining in the second period.
Devils 3, Lightning 0: Martin Brodeur made 26 saves for his third straight shutout as host New Jersey took over first place in the Eastern Conference.
Bobby Holik, John MacLean and Doug Gilmour scored for the Devils, who won their fourth straight and moved a point ahead of idle Philadelphia.
Sabres 5, Rangers 1: Miroslav Satan scored his first career hat trick and host Buffalo ended its longest winless streak in more than four years.
The Sabres, one point from clinching first place in the Northeast Division, also broke out of a prolonged scoring slump.
Sharks 7, Avalanche 6: Stephen Guolla scored 35 seconds into overtime, lifting last-place San Jose over visiting Colorado.
Tony Granato completed his second hat trick of the season at 8:12 of the third period to give San Jose a 6-5 lead, but the former Sharks defenseman scored with 3:28 left to force overtime.
Flames 3, Canucks 3: Theo Fleury scored the tying goal at 8:02 of the second period for visiting Calgary. Fleury had a chance to score in overtime, but did not get a shot on goal after being hooked from behind by Vancouver’s Trevor Linden. Referee Bill McCreary did not call a penalty.
