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Rangers first to clinch playoff spot

 
The Senators’ Marc Methot, left, and Derick Brassard bump in the Rangers’ 5-1 win.
The Senators’ Marc Methot, left, and Derick Brassard bump in the Rangers’ 5-1 win.
Published March 27, 2015

OTTAWA — Chris Kreider had two goals and an assist, and the Rangers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot with a 5-1 win over the Senators on Thursday night.

Dan Boyle, Mats Zuccarello and Tanner Glass also scored for the Rangers, who have 101 points. Glass' goal was his first in more than a year.

Cam Talbot made 23 saves for New York, which handed Ottawa's Andrew Hammond his first regulation loss. Hammond allowed five goals on 22 shots and is 14-1-1 to start his NHL career. The Rangers also ended Ottawa's seven-game winning streak.

New York's fifth goal knocked Hammond out of the game late in the second period. He was replaced by Chris Driedger, who made his NHL debut. Driedger finished with 10 saves.

Sabres fans cheer loss: Sam Gagner scored 56 seconds into overtime to lift the Coyotes to a 4-3 win over the host Sabres, earning cheers from the fans of last-place Buffalo who are hoping to get the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The 29th-place Coyotes moved six points ahead of the Sabres, delighting the home crowd clamoring for the best lottery odds for getting the top pick.

Sabres defenseman Mike Weber was furious at the cheering. "It's tough to get momentum when your fans are rooting against you," he said. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I guess. But this is a whole new low right now."

Game highlights: Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf scored with 1:51 left in overtime after linemate Corey Perry tied the score with 39 seconds left in regulation to help visiting Anaheim rally past the Bruins 3-2. The Bruins are 0-3-3 in their past six games and are tied with the Senators for the second playoff wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. … Brandon Pirri scored twice and the Panthers earned a 4-1 win over the host Maple Leafs. The Panthers are three points behind Ottawa and Boston for the second East wild-card spot. The loss was the seventh straight for Toronto, which is 6-28-3 in 2015. … Anze Kopitar scored with 4:23 left and the Kings won their third straight on their road trip by beating the host Islanders 3-2. The Islanders fell to 2-5-2 in their past nine. … Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen scored 73 seconds into overtime for a 3-2 win over the visiting Devils. … Patrick Marleau scored twice and Antti Niemi made 30 saves to help the Sharks top the host Red Wings 6-4. … Ondrej Pavelec made 39 saves for his sixth consecutive win as the host Jets defeated the Canadiens 5-2. Dustin Tokarski stopped 17 of 22 shots for the Canadiens, who rested starter Carey Price. Pavelec's winning streak began when he started wearing a mask with an image of Bruce Springsteen on it.

Around the league: Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll was suspended for three games for a check to the head of Ducks forward Patrick Maroon on Tuesday.