RALEIGH, N.C. – Rangers captain Ryan Callahan scored 2:55 into overtime, and New York rallied to clinch a third straight Eastern Conference playoff berth by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Thursday.

Brad Richards tied it for the Rangers with 2:57 remaining in regulation after New York blew an early 2-0 lead and fell behind already-eliminated Carolina.

Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard staked the Rangers to the lead in the first period, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 18 shots for New York, which jumped over the rival Islanders and into seventh place in the East with one game left.

SENATORS 2, CAPITALS 1: Sergei Gonchar scored 47 seconds into overtime, Erik Karlsson set up Ottawa’s first goal in his sooner-than-anticipated return from a torn Achilles tendon, and Ottawa clinched a playoff berth.

Craig Anderson made 19 saves. The only shot that got past him was Alex Ovechkin’s NHL-leading 32nd goal, which tied the game 81/2 minutes into the third period.

But ex-Capitals defenseman Gonchar put the winner past Michal Neuvirth, who made 39 saves.

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Jakob Silfverberg deflected in Karlsson’s shot 12:35 into the second period against the Southeast Division champion Capitals, who are already locked into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The overtime wins by the Senators and New York Rangers eliminated the Winnipeg Jets from the playoff chase.

FLYERS 2, ISLANDERS 1: Oliver Lauridsen and Danny Briere scored to lead Philadelphia to a win in its home finale. The Flyers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

The Islanders are still headed to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, PANTHERS 0: Phil Kessel scored twice to lead the Toronto. With the loss, host Florida clinched the worst record in the NHL for the first time in franchise history.

DEVILS 3, PENGUINS 2: Ilya Kovalchuk scored his first goal since suffering a shoulder injury last month, giving host New Jersey Devils a victory in its home finale.

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RED WINGS 5, PREDATORS 2: Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and two assists and host Detroit moved a step closer to its 22nd straight playoff appearance.

The Red Wings, now in seventh place in the Western Conference, need one more point to secure their spot in the postseason.

CANADIENS 4, JETS 2: Host Winnipeg saw its playoff hopes end on two scoreboards it didn’t control, even before it bowed 4-2 to Montreal.

BLUES 4, FLAMES 1: Ryan Reaves scored twice and Brian Elliott earned his NHL-leading 10th win in April and host St. Louis moved into fourth place in the Western Conference.

BLUE JACKETS 3, STARS 1: Cam Atkinson scored two goals and Columbus stayed alive in the Western playoff race.

Mark Letestu snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period for the game-winner at Dallas.


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