Chelios Edges Hawks Closer To Playoff Spot

As the battle for playoff positioning in the NHL’s Western Conference rages on, Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios says the playoffs have already started for Chicago.

Chelios scored the game-winner with 7:57 left, and the Blackhawks strengthened their NHL playoff prospects with a 2-1 victory Sunday over the Calgary Flames.

“These last 10 to 15 games mean so much, as far as I’m concerned, this is the playoffs right now,” Chelios said. “If we don’t win now, we’re eliminated.”

On a harmless looking play, Chelios lofted a wrist shot from the blue-line that went through a maze of legs and sticks in front of the net and beat goaltender Trevor Kidd.

“Jim Cummins set up the screen and one of their guys were also in front,” Chelios said. “I know Kidd never saw the puck because I couldn’t even see Kidd in the net.”

With three games remaining for each team, Chicago moved four points ahead of Calgary in the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Trent Klatt scored his fifth shorthanded goal of the season, tying for the league lead, as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-1.

Klatt hadn’t scored since collecting three goals against the Boston Bruins March 1.

Philadelphia needed the goal and more importantly, the two points for the win in its battle with New Jersey for the Atlantic Division title. The victory gave the Flyers 100 points for the second straight season.

Pat Falloon scored the game-winner for the Flyers, who are 5-1-2 in their last eight games and have beaten Ottawa in their last eight meetings.

While the Flyers welcomed back All-Star defenseman Paul Coffey, they lost forward Mikael Renberg.

Patrick Roy set a career-high with his 37th victory of the season, leading Colorado to a 2-1 decision over Phoenix and a four-point lead in the race for home ice throughout the playoffs.

Roy lost his shutout at 4:19 of the third period when Keith Tkachuk became the first 50-goal scorer in the NHL this season.

Peter Bondra scored the tying goal with 49.2 seconds left in regulation and Washington kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-3 tie against the Florida Panthers.

Despite the tie, the Panthers, who are winless in six games, gained ground in the battle to secure home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.