Capitals Clinch South – NHL Roundup For April 24th

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Capitals have wrapped up the Southeast Division title while helping the New York Islanders end a six-year postseason drought.

Jason Chimera (chih-MEHR'-uh), Nicklas Backstrom, Mathieu Perreault (peh-ROH') and Alex Ovechkin (oh-VEHCH'-kihn) each had a goal and an assist as the Capitals beat Winnipeg 5-3. The Caps blew a 2-0 lead before Backstrom and Perreault scored 2:46 apart late in the second period to restore their two-goal advantage.

The Islanders clinched a playoff berth despite a 4-3 shootout loss to Carolina. Riley Nash and Jeff Skinner had the shootout goals for the Hurricanes after Kyle Okposo (oh-POH'-soh) scored with 61 seconds left in regulation to give the Isles the point they needed to wrap up a postseason spot.

Boston and Montreal remain in a virtual tie for the Northeast Division lead after the Bruins and Canadiens lost on the road. Matt Read and Oliver Lauridsen scored just seven seconds apart in the second period to give Philadelphia a 3-1 lead in a 5-2 win over the Bruins. The Canadiens were 3-2 losers at New Jersey as Patrik Elias (EH'-lee-ahsh) notched his 375th career goal and Martin Brodeur picked up his 669th victory.

The New York Rangers could have wrapped up a postseason spot, but they lost 3-2 at Florida despite outshooting the Panthers 38-16. Marcel Goc (gahch) scored a power-play goal to snap a 1-1 tie with 12:23 left before Drew Shore's empty-netter became the eventual game-winner.

Thomas Vanek (VAN'-ehk) scored twice and Steve Ott provided the game-winner with 2:34 left as Buffalo beat Pittsburgh 4-3, ending the Penguins' seven-game winning streak.