NHL ROUNDUP : Washington Clinches a Playoff Berth with 5-2 Victory Over Islanders

The magic number for the Washington Capitals to clinch a playoff berth Sunday was 200.

Mike Ridley scored his 200th NHL goal and goaltender Don Beaupre won his 200th game in the Capitals’ 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders.

The Capitals (40-24-7) still have a chance to win the Patrick Division, trailing the New York Rangers by five points, but they can’t finish worse than fourth, the last playoff spot.

Ridley scored the tie-breaking goal, his 25th this season, one minute into the final period. It was a fluke that spoiled an outstanding game by Islanders’ goalie Mark Fitzpatrick.

Ridley sent a half-shot, half-pass toward the net, hoping teammate Kelly Miller would have a chance to knock the puck into the net. The puck eluded Fitzpatrick, hit the post, bounced off Fitzpatrick’s skate and into the net.

Fitzpatrick made 35 other saves, 15 of them in the first period, when the Capitals jumped to a 2-0 lead.

The loss dealt a blow to the Islanders’ playoff hopes. The Islanders (30-33-8) can’t finish ahead of the Capitals, but they are chasing fourth-place Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh 4, Chicago 3--Rick Tocchet scored two of the goals as the Penguins rallied for three scores in the last period at Chicago.

Larry Murphy scored the winning goal with just 3:43 remaining in regulation. The victory sent the Penguins closer to a playoff berth. Tocchet has been hot since the Penguins obtained him from Philadelphia.

With 10 games remaining, the Penguins lead the Islanders by six points. They have pulled within four points of third-place New Jersey.

There was a time a couple of weeks ago when it appeared the Stanley Cup champions would not get a chance to defend their title. That no longer seems to be a problem.

Detroit 1, Winnipeg 1--Ed Olczyk scored on a power play with 5:17 left at Winnipeg to give the Jets a tie and an important point in their bid for the playoffs.

Olczyk’s 25th goal moved the Jets, fourth in the Smythe Division, five points ahead of Calgary in the battle for the final postseason position.

The Jets have nine games left, the Flames 10.

Although they practically have the Norris Division title clinched, the Red Wings’ slump continues. They are 1-4-2 this month.

Buffalo 6, Quebec 4--Pat LaFontaine’s second goal of the game at Buffalo and his 40th of the season gave the Sabres the victory that clinched a playoff berth.

Although they are third in the Adams Division, the Sabres are only the seventh team in the league to clinch a playoff spot.

LaFontaine’s tiebreaker came with just 2:41 left in regulation. Randy Wood also scored twice for Buffalo.