Devils clinch berth with win

Zach Parise deflected in Johnny Oduya’s shot 29 seconds into overtime for the New Jersey Devils, who clinched an Eastern Conference playoff berth with a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night in Uniondale, N.Y.

Parise won it with the Devils’ 47th shot at third-string goalie Joey MacDonald. Oduya also had the primary assist on Patrik Elias’ second-period goal that got New Jersey even at 1.

Martin Brodeur stopped 21 shots for his 42nd victory of the season, allowing only a goal to Josef Vasicek in the first period.

Panthers 3, Thrashers 2: At Atlanta, Jay Bouwmeester and David Booth scored 17 seconds apart early in the third period and Florida held on for a win over the Thrashers.

Atlanta rookie winger Jordan LaVallee scored his first NHL goal in his second game.

Capitals 4, Hurricanes 1: At Washington, Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 63rd goal and got all sorts of help in the Capitals’ victory over Carolina.

Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich and Matt Cooke scored before Ovechkin’s insurance goal.

Predators 4, Blues 3 (OT): At St. Louis, Rich Peverley scored 1:43 into overtime to complete Nashville’s comeback from a three-goal deficit and give the Predators a victory over the Blues.

Canadiens 3, Senators 0: At Ottawa, Carey Price made 32 saves for his third shutout and Alex Kovalev scored his 35th goal as Montreal beat the Senators.

Mathieu Dandenault and Andrei Kostitsyn also scored for Montreal.

Sabres 4, Maple Leafs 3 (SO): At Toronto, Maxim Afinogenov scored the winning goal in the shootout, lifting Buffalo to a victory over the Maple Leafs.

Flames 3, Oilers 2: At Edmonton, Alberta, Owen Nolan scored the winning goal with 3:44 left in regulation, lifting Calgary to a victory over the Oilers.

Nolan took a long rebound of Matthew Lombardi’s shot and put the puck into an open goal.

Avalanche 4, Canucks 2: At Vancouver, British Columbia, Milan Hejduk and Wojtek Wolski scored 35 seconds apart in the second period and Colorado rallied to beat the Canucks to clinch a playoff spot.

Sharks 5, Kings 2: At San Jose, Calif., Evgeni Nabokov made 16 saves in his NHL-best 46th victory, and the Sharks closed out their home schedule by defeating Los Angeles for their 18th win in 20 games.

Milan Michalek scored the go-ahead goal in the second period

Off the ice

Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur is suing Montreal police and Quebec’s solicitor general for $3.5 million because of the warrant issued for his arrest earlier this year. … Buffalo defenseman Teppo Numminen was activated from the injury-suspended list and cleared to play, more than six months after the 39-year-old had open-heart surgery. … The Carolina Hurricanes activated forwards Ray Whitney (a former Spokane Chief) and Justin Williams from injured reserve. … Philadelphia center R.J. Umberger, who missed the last six games with a sprained left knee, is set to return and play tonight at Pittsburgh. … Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock will lead the host Canadian team at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.