NHL : Thrashers clinch Southeast Division title

Ilya Kovalchuk, Pascal Dupuis and Marian Hossa scored to lead the Atlanta Thrashers past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 for their first division title Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Johan Hedberg finished with 32 saves for the Thrashers, who clinched the Southeast Division when Tampa Bay lost at home to Florida later in the day. Eric Belanger added a late goal for Atlanta.

Anson Carter scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost five of six games – a stretch that cost them a chance to defend their Stanley Cup title.

The Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoff race after a loss at Tampa Bay earlier this week, making them just the third defending Cup champion to miss the postseason.

Stars 2, Ducks 1 (SO): At Dallas, Vladislav Nagy converted in the fourth round to send Dallas to a shootout victory over Anaheim, preventing the Ducks from clinching their first Pacific Division title.

Jussi Jokinen, Sergei Zubov and Mike Modano failed to score in the shootout for the Stars before Nagy beat Anaheim goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Stars goaltender Marty Turco stopped Corey Perry in the fourth round to give Dallas the victory after Anaheim’s first three shooters – Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne – didn’t convert.

Panthers 7, Lightning 2: At Tampa, Fla., Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist, and Ville Peltonen set up three goals to lead Florida past Tampa Bay.

The Panthers chased Lightning goalie Johan Holmqvist with four goals in their first 12 shots.

Detroit locks up Datsyuk

Detroit addressed its top priority by signing center Pavel Datsyuk to a seven-year contract extension.

For a team like the Red Wings, whose perennial success restricts their access to top NHL draft picks, signing Datsyuk was seen as crucial, particularly in the salary cap era.

Datsyuk leads the Wings with 87 points – 27 goals and 60 assists.