The final two Eastern conference playoff positions were clinched on Thursday afternoon with the NY Rangers and Ottawa Senators booking spots to the competition for Lord Stanley's Cup. Both teams needed victories to tie up the playoff positions and both earned them; albeit with difficulty.
The Rangers dominated the Carolina Hurricanes and ran out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. However, defensive breakdowns and miscues enabled the Hurricanes to draw even. In the third period, the red hot Jiri Tlusty gave the Hurricanes the lead with his second of the evening. The Rangers seemed primed to lose the game but luck was on their side. Brad Richards fired a shot from the point that caromed off the boards and hit goaltender Dan Ellis. The puck ricocheted off of Ellis' skate and went into the net to tie the game at three. In overtime, the Hurricanes took over and created a number of chances. However, on a counterattack, Rangers captain Ryan Callahan raced to a loose puck on the boards and fired from a bad angle; the shot flew past Ellis and gave the Rangers their ticket to the playoffs.
The Senators received good news upon hearing the top defender Erik Karlsson would return to the lineup for their game against the Washington Capitals. The Senator immediately had an impact as his point shot was redirected in for the 1-0 lead. Washington's streaking Alex Ovechkin would level the marker but Ottawa would win the game when Sergei Gonchar scored 48 seconds into overtime. Karlsson added a primary assist on the game winner.
No team clinched a spot in the West; however, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Nashville Predators and are a win (or a Columbus loss) away from clinching a berth.
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