NHL NEWS MARCH 29 – OILERS DEFEAT KINGS, CLINCH FIRST PLAYOFF BERTH SINCE 2006

NHL NEWS MARCH 29 – Connor McDavid opened the scoring and Cam Talbot made 34 saves to help the Oilers defeat the Kings and clinch a berth in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their first postseason appearance since 2005-06 when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.

The Oilers, who improved to 7-1-0 in their past eight games, snapped the longest playoff drought in their 38-season NHL history. At 42-25-9 (93 points), they remain two points back of the Ducks (42-23-11, 95 points) for first place in the Pacific Division.

McDavid extended his point streak to eight games (4-10—14) to open a seven-point lead in the race for the Art Ross Trophy (27-62—89). Leon Draisaitl (0-1—1) also pushed his point streak to eight contests (4-11—15).

The Ducks (42-23-11, 95 points) and Sharks (43-26-7, 93 points) – who clinched by virtue of Edmonton’s win against Los Angeles – also earned victories to keep pace in the crowded Pacific Division.

NHL NEWS MARCH 29 AND OTHER MUSINGS

• Sergei Bobrovsky (41 saves) earned his 41st victory of the season to extend his point streak to 12 games (10-0-2) and help the Blue Jackets (49-19-7, 105 points) keep pace in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy
• Max Pacioretty (1-1—2) scored the first of four answered goals as the Canadiens (43-24-9, 95 points) opened a four-point lead for first place in the Atlantic Division
• Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (26 saves) became the third goaltender in NHL history to record three consecutive 40-win seasons, joining Martin Brodeur (2005-08) and Evgeni Nabokov (2007-10)
• Capitals forward Marcus Johansson (0-4—4) established career highs for assists and points in a game, while Nicklas Backstrom (0-3—3) reached the 60-assist milestone to move within two of the League lead
• The Red Wings’ run of 25 consecutive postseason appearances officially ended. It is tied for the third-longest such run in NHL history
• William Nylander extended his point streak to 12 games (4-10—14), equaling the longest such run by any player in 2016-17

TUESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Winnipeg 4, NEW JERSEY 3 (SO)
BOSTON 4, Nashville 1
PHILADELPHIA 3, Ottawa 2 (SO)
CAROLINA 4, Detroit Red Wings 1
COLUMBUS 3, Buffalo 1
TORONTO 3, Florida 2
MONTREAL 4, Dallas 1
Washington 5, MINNESOTA 4 (OT)
EDMONTON 2, Los Angeles 1
Anaheim 4, VANCOUVER 1
SAN JOSE 5, NY Rangers 4 (OT)

WEDNESDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Chicago @ Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles @ Calgary, 9 p.m.
Washington @ Colorado, 10 p.m.
St. Louis @ Arizona, 10:30 p.m.