PHILADELPHIA: The Boston Bruins clinched an NHL playoff spot with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Sunday. Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal with 3:43 left in regulation, and Nathan Horton also scored to help the Northeast Division leaders. Tim Thomas made 27 saves for the Bruins, allowing only Kris Versteeg's early goal. Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia was unbeaten in regulation in its previous nine games. They are two points ahead of Washington and Pittsburgh for the top spot. Canucks 4, Blue Jackets 1: In Columbus, Vancouver reached 50 wins in a season for the first time in their 40-year NHL history, beating Columbus. Chris Higgins had a two goals and an assist as the NHL-leading Canucks extended their road winning streak to eight, matching the franchise record set in early 2004. Christian Ehrhoff and Henrik Sedin also scored for Vancouver, which has won 10 of 11 overall and seven in a row against Columbus. R.J. Umberger scored a consolation for the Blue Jackets with just under 10 minutes remaining. Penguins 2, Panthers 1, SO: In Pittsburgh, the hosts won their fourth consecutive shootout, edging Florida. Alex Kovalev and James Neal scored in the shootout, Ben Lovejoy scored in regulation and Marc-Andre Fleury had 37 saves for the Penguins, who moved two points behind Philadelphia in the race for the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference leads. Pittsburgh, tied with Washington for second in the conference with 98 points, has won six of seven. Fleury set a team record for time elapsed between goals allowed (150 minutes, 14 seconds) and made two stops in the shootout. Ryan Carter scored for the Panthers, who have lost five straight. Thrashers 5, Senators 4, SO: In Atlanta, the home team got past Ottawa in a shootout, moving nine points behind Buffalo, which holds the last place in the Eastern Conferenc playoff race. Andrew Ladd scored the deciding shootout goal, Blake Wheeler and Ben Maxwell each had a goal and an assist and Bryan Little and Mark Stuart also scored for the Thrashers. Marek Svatos had two goals and Chris Neil and Erik Condra also scored for the Senators.
