Coyotes’ Victory Over Sharks Is Big in More Ways Than One

Phoenix is one of seven NHL teams with a losing record at home. Nothing has come easily for the Coyotes there.

Until Tuesday night.

They got two goals from Craig Janney and a goal and two assists from Keith Tkachuk in a 7-1 victory over San Jose that ended a two-game losing streak and kept Phoenix in the mix for home-ice advantage in the West in the first round of the playoffs.

Oleg Tverdovsky, Cliff Ronning, Dallas Drake and Jeremy Roenick also scored for the Coyotes.

“We’ve been struggling scoring goals, and with the offensive talent we have, it’s been real frustrating,” said Tkachuk, who scored his 47th. “Scoring seven goals tonight was real satisfying for us.”

The victory gave Phoenix 78 points, tied with the Mighty Ducks for fourth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Edmonton.

St. Louis 1, Detroit 1--Tim Taylor’s first goal in almost six months helped the Red Wings clinch home ice for at least the first round of the playoffs with a tie at Detroit.

Tampa Bay 1, Philadelphia 1--Rod Brind’Amour broke Daren Puppa’s shutout bid midway though the third period for the Flyers, who gained a tie in Philadelphia.

It was the second consecutive 1-1 tie for the Lightning and Puppa, who played in only his fourth game of the season after having back surgery on Nov. 11. Tampa Bay and Florida tied, 1-1, Saturday.

Buffalo 1, New York Rangers 1--Esa Tikkanen’s short-handed goal at 6:28 of the third period lifted the Rangers into a tie in New York.

Tikkanen’s forechecking set up the goal, forcing Buffalo goaltender Dominik Hasek to make an acrobatic save.

While Hasek was off-balance, Tikkanen circled into the slot and was in perfect position to convert Niklas Sundstrom’s rebound for his 13th goal of the season.

New Jersey 1, Washington 0--John MacLean scored his 24th goal and Martin Brodeur turned back 25 shots for the Devils, who won at Landover, Md.

MacLean’s goal came in the first period for the Devils, who are 13-3-1 since Feb. 22.