Islanders Lose, Fail to Clinch

Sergei Fedorov scored two goals to help the host Detroit Red Wings defeat the New York Islanders, 5-2, Thursday, denying New York a chance to clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Islanders, who have two games left, remained two points away from the eighth playoff berth. The New York Rangers still have a chance to overtake them.

New York will next have a chance to clinch the playoff spot Saturday against Atlanta, at home.

Detroit is second in the Western Conference with 108 points, one behind the Dallas Stars. The Red Wings, who have won 21 of their last 25 (21-3-0-1) have two games left, while the Stars have one.

Ottawa 5, Washington 1 -- The Senators grabbed the No. 1 seeding in the Eastern Conference for the first time in the franchise’s 10-year history as Peter Schaefer and Daniel Alfredsson scored twice at Washington.

Toronto 2, Minnesota 1 -- Aki Berg scored the go-ahead goal with 3:53 left at Toronto to help the Maple Leafs win their fourth game in a row.

New Jersey 1, Boston 1 -- Steve Shields made five of his 28 saves in overtime to help the Bruins earn a point at East Rutherford, N.J.

San Jose 3, Edmonton 3 -- Teemu Selanne scored his second goal with 41 seconds left in regulation for the Sharks at Edmonton, Canada.

Chicago 6. St. Louis 4 -- Rookie goalie Michael Leighton won his first career game for the Blackhawks at St. Louis.

*

Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell returned to practice with the Sabres and was cleared to play after being kept from the team because of possible exposure to a mysterious illness spreading through Asia. Campbell missed three games after he was possibly exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) following a visit last week from his sister, who was later hospitalized after showing symptoms.