NHL Daily Recap: Sharks beat Kings, 5-2

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SHARKS RETURN TO PLAYOFFS WITH 5-2 VICTORY OVER KINGS

Even at 2-2 after two periods, the Sharks potted three unanswered goals to defeat the rival Kings and clinch their 11th playoff berth in the past 12 seasons.

The Sharks, who sit five points behind the Kings for first place in the Pacific Division, finished their five-game season series with a 3-1-1 record (LAK: 2-3-0). Joe Pavelski (1-1—2) led all players with 5-5—10 in the five matchups.

Joe Thornton provided the tiebreaking goal. He ranks second in the NHL with 14-43—57 in 47 games since Dec. 15.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty played in his 600th NHL game.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made a highlight-reel stick save to preserve a 2-2 tie late in the second period.

Sharks defenseman Justin Braun and Kings forward Vincent Lecavalier each scored twice. Braun recorded his first career multi-goal game (361 GP).

DUCKS DEFEAT EDMONTON, 2-1

John Gibson turned aside 27 of 28 shots to guide the Ducks to a 4-1-1 record in their past six contests and within one point of first place in the Pacific Division. Anaheim also improved to 8-0-1 in its last nine games against Edmonton dating to Dec. 10, 2014, including five straight wins at Rexall Place.

CAPITALS CLINCH PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY, MATCH FRANCHISE WIN RECORD

Knotted at 1-1 after two periods, the Capitals scored three unanswered goals to clinch the Presidents’ Trophy and the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.

At 54-16-5 (113 points), the Capitals equaled a franchise record for wins in one season, established in 2009-10 when they captured their only other Presidents’ Trophy (54-15-13, 121 points).

Braden Holtby (21 SV) picked up his League-leading 46th victory of the season (2.19 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO). Only four other goaltenders in NHL history have earned as many wins in one campaign:

48 – Martin Brodeur (78 GP) in 2006-07 w/ NJD
47 – Bernie Parent (73 GP) in 1973-74 w/ PHI
47 – Roberto Luongo (76 GP) in 2006-07 w/ VAN
46 – Braden Holtby (61 GP) in 2015-16 w/ WSH^
46 – Evgeni Nabokov (77 GP) in 2007-08 w/ SJS

AVALANCHE INCH CLOSER IN WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Avalanche built a 3-0 lead midway through the first period and weathered a Predators rally to secure their fourth win in their past six games.

At 39-33-4 (82 points), Colorado moved within three points of idle Minnesota (37-28-11, 85 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Shawn Matthias scored what stood as the game-winning goal. He has 4-4—8 in 14 contests since joining the Avalanche, compared to 6-11—17 in his first 51 appearances of the season (w/ TOR).

Avalanche forward Blake Comeau (1-1—2) potted his 100th NHL goal.

MONDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

PHILADELPHIA 3, Winnipeg 2 (OT)
WASHINGTON 4, Columbus 1
DETROIT 3, Buffalo 2
TAMPA BAY 3, Toronto 0
Colorado 4, NASHVILLE 3
Anaheim 2, EDMONTON 1
Calgary 5, ARIZONA 2
SAN JOSE 5, Los Angeles 2

TODAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIO

The Predators will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Stars in any fashion AND the Avalanche lose to the Blues in regulation.

TUESDAY’S GAMES SPOTLIGHT CENTRAL DIVISION RACE

The top six teams in the Central Division collide during a trio of games on Tuesday:

The Wild, who currently occupy the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, face the Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center. This marks the fifth and final meeting of the season between these rivals. Minnesota has won their opening four matchups (MIN: 4-0-0, CHI: 0-3-1) after getting swept by Chicago in the Second Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Blues, who are riding a franchise-record four-game shutout streak (240:17), attempt to extend that run when they welcome the Avalanche to Scottrade Center. Colorado, the first club on the outside of the playoff picture, has won the opening three contests in their season series (COL: 3-0-0, STL: 0-1-2), which will wrap up this Sunday, April 3, at Pepsi Center.

The Predators, who sit in the first Wild Card spot in the conference, try to wrap up a playoff berth when they visit the Stars at American Airlines Center. Dallas has won two of the first three matchups in their head-to-head series (DAL: 2-1-0, NSH: 1-1-1), which will see the teams meet in their final game of the regular season – on Saturday, April 9, also in Texas.

TUESDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Boston @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., SNO, SNP, SNW, TVAS, NESN, MSG
Carolina @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., FS-CR, MSG+
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, ROOT
Detroit @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., FS-D, SNE, RDS
Toronto @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., TSN4, FS-F
Chicago @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., CSN-CH, FS-N
Colorado @ St. Louis, 8:30 p.m., NBCSN
Nashville @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., FS-TN, FS-SW
San Jose @ Vancouver, 10:00 p.m., CSN-CA, SNP

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services