NHL ROUNDUP : Sharks Swim Farther Away From Kings, Mighty Ducks

With a chance to put something besides 400 miles between the Bay Area and Southern California, the San Jose Sharks did something they had never done Thursday night.

They won, 2-1, at Toronto to extend their lead to eight points over the Mighty Ducks and Kings in the race for the eighth and final NHL playoff spot.

Todd Elik scored off a rebound 1:42 into the third period to give the Sharks the victory.

“Winning here is really significant for all of us, especially for me as a first-year NHL coach,” San Jose’s Kevin Constantine said. “But all of that pales in regards to what we’re trying to accomplish: Staying ahead of Anaheim and Los Angeles and getting into the playoffs.”

San Jose is 26-33-15 and already is looking forward to a return trip to Toronto in the playoffs.

“We’ll either be here or in Detroit,” defenseman Jeff Norton said. “The nice thing about this win is that we know now that we can play against these guys, and we know how we have to play against these guys. And getting eight points up on the Kings gives us a little leeway now. At six up, lose one and you’re back on your heels again. This will allow us be a little more relaxed.”

New Jersey 2, Tampa Bay 1--Bobby Holik and Scott Stevens scored at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Devils clinched a playoff berth.

Philadelphia 4, Florida 3--Eric Lindros had a goal and two assists at Philadelphia, where the Flyers moved to within two points of the Panthers for the final playoff spot in the East.

Pittsburgh 5, Ottawa 1--Shawn McEachern scored twice and Tomas Sandstrom had a goal and two assists at Pittsburgh as the Penguins extended their unbeaten streak to five.

Montreal 5, Chicago 5--Brian Bellows tied the score with his 30th goal of the season at 14:34 of the third period as the Canadiens rallied from a three-goal deficit at Chicago.