Senators in Running for Higher Office Now

Usually at this time of the season, the Ottawa Senators are making their vacation plans with the role of spoiler the only incentive left to play.

On Thursday at Kanata, Canada, they clinched the Northeast Division. Now they’re setting sights on the Eastern Conference title.

Daniel Alfredsson scored the game winner early in the third period as the Senators clinched their first division title with a 3-1 victory over the second-place Toronto Maple Leafs.

“It’s a nice feeling, it was one of our goals,” Ottawa defenseman Lance Pitlick said. “Now we’re in a position to accomplish a lot more and win the Eastern Conference.”

Vaclav Prospal, Daniel Alfredsson and Sami Salo scored for the Senators, who reached the 100-point plateau.

Ottawa also maintained a three-point lead over the New Jersey Devils atop the Eastern Conference standings. Ottawa has lost only nine of its last 47 games (29-9-9) and is 4-1-3 in its last eight.

Chicago 6, New York Rangers 2--Rookie Jean-Pierre Dumont scored three goals, including two in a four-goal first period, as the Blackhawks defeated the Rangers for their seventh consecutive home victory.

Dumont picked up his hat trick with breakaway goal with only 6.1 seconds left in the game.

Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 1--After learning that their leading scorer and captain, Eric Lindros, suffered a setback in his recovery from a collapsed lung, the Flyers made it clear that they intend to move on--with or without him.

John LeClair tied Lindros for the team lead with his 40th goal and the Flyers got a crucial victory at home over the reeling Penguins, who were without NHL scoring leader Jaromir Jagr because of a groin injury.

New Jersey 1, Washington 0--The Devils captured their third consecutive Atlantic Division title by defeating the Capitals at East Rutherford, N.J.

Martin Brodeur made 15 saves and Brian Rolston scored the game-winner with his 20th goal of the season as the Devils became the first team since the Flyers (1985-87) to win three division titles in a row.

New York Islanders 3, Montreal 1--Mariusz Czerkawski and Zigmund Palffy each had a goal and an assist as the Islanders defeated the Canadiens at Uniondale, N.Y.

The Islanders won only their third game since Feb. 27 (3-11-3), and their first at home since that same date.

Tampa Bay 3, Boston 0--Kevin Hodson and Corey Schwab combined to make 27 saves as the Lightning defeated the Bruins at Tampa, Fla.

Hodson left after the first period because of a groin pull and Schwab finished up as the Lightning defeated Boston one day after the Bruins clinched a playoff berth.