Flyers Keep Closing on Rangers for Division Title

Jeff Carter set up two Philadelphia goals with cross-ice passes, Antero Niittymaki made 25 saves and the Flyers closed to within a point of New York for the Atlantic Division lead in a 4-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday at Philadelphia.

The Rangers lost their fourth straight game and finish the season Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against Ottawa.

But the Flyers took control of the division Saturday despite still being in second place. If Philadelphia wins its last two games -- at New Jersey today and at the New York Islanders on Tuesday -- they clinch the Atlantic and the No. 3 seeding in the Eastern Conference, no matter what the Rangers do.

Atlanta 4, Boston 3 -- Andy Sutton scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 10:51 left, and the Thrashers kept alive their postseason hopes with a win at Atlanta.

Tampa Bay 3, Carolina 2 -- Martin St. Louis’ breakaway goal with 10.7 seconds left in overtime at Tampa, Fla., moved the Lightning a step closer to a postseason berth.

Buffalo 4, Montreal 2 -- Chris Drury and J.P. Dumont scored early in the third period, and Teppo Numminen had an empty-net goal for the Sabres at Montreal.

Dallas 4, Minnesota 3 -- Trevor Daley scored with 33.7 seconds left in overtime, and the Stars rallied to win after blowing a two-goal lead in the third period at Dallas.

Vancouver 4, Colorado 3 -- Anson Carter tied it with 42 seconds left in regulation, and Brendan Morrison scored with 36 seconds left in overtime at Vancouver, Canada.

Nashville 5, Phoenix 1 -- Goalie Chris Mason was credited with a goal when the Coyotes shot the puck into their net on a delayed penalty and also made 23 saves at Nashville for his fifth consecutive victory.

Washington 2, Florida 1 -- Matt Pettinger beat Jamie McLennan with a low shot in the fourth round of a shootout, and Brent Johnson stopped Jozef Stumpel’s attempt to lift the Capitals at Sunrise, Fla.

Detroit 3, St. Louis 2 -- Henrik Zetterberg scored with nine seconds left at St. Louis to lift the Red Wings to their 12th consecutive road victory.

Blue Jackets 5, Blackhawks 2 -- David Vyborny scored twice at Columbus, Ohio, to help the Blue Jackets to a franchise record 72 points.

New York Islanders 5, Pittsburgh 4 -- Robert Nilsson scored in the sixth round of a shootout to give the Islanders the win at Uniondale, N.Y.

Toronto 5, Ottawa 1 -- Mats Sundin scored and had an assist at Toronto, but the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoff chase.