Atlanta Is in Playoff Range

The Atlanta Thrashers aren’t giving up on the chance for their first trip to the playoffs.

Marian Hossa scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period, added an empty netter with 25 seconds to go and the Thrashers defeated the Washington Capitals, 5-3, Thursday at Atlanta to pull to within two points of Tampa Bay for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Alexander Ovechkin scored his 50th goal for Washington, becoming the second rookie in NHL history to reach 50 goals and 100 points. Teemu Selanne had 76 goals and 132 points for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.

Ovechkin scored his 50th goal at 13:01 of the first period with a shot from the top of the left circle. Atlanta goalie Mike Dunham appeared to be screened in front by defenseman Garnet Exelby.

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Florida 5, Ottawa 4 -- The Senators clinched the Northeast Division title despite losing in overtime to the visiting Panthers. Daniel Alfredsson scored with two seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 4-4 and send the game to overtime, earning the Senators the point that clinched the division title.

Joe Nieuwendyk won the game, scoring 3:30 into the extra period.

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In other games:

The San Jose Sharks eliminated the Vancouver Canucks from playoff contention with their franchise-record seventh straight victory, 5-3, at San Jose.... The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the visiting New York Rangers, 5-3, stalling the Rangers’ bid to win their first division title since 1994. The Rangers are three points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers, who lost, 4-1, to the host New Jersey Devils. The Devils, who have won nine in a row, are also three points back of the Rangers.... Matt Stajan scored his second goal of the game with 1:08 left in overtime at Uniondale, N.Y., to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

Brendan Shanahan scored three goals to help the Detroit Red Wings set an NHL record with their 11th straight road win, a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.... Mike Sillinger scored two goals to help the Nashville Predators beat the visiting Minnesota Wild, 4-2.... Alex Kovalev had two goals as the visiting Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins, 4-3.... The host Columbus Blue Jackets beat the St. Louis Blues, 4-1, ending a three-game losing streak.... The Calgary Flames clinched the Northwest Division title with a 2-0 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche.