Hype for March 31, 2010

With six games to go in regular season, the Boston Bruins know the only thing separating them from the playoffs is themselves.

The Bruins moved another step closer to the post-season on Tuesday night, getting a goal from Patrice Bergeron with 18.3 seconds left in overtime in a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

One well-timed goal gave Nik Antropov plenty of reasons to smile.

The big forward helped keep Atlanta's playoff hopes alive by tipping home the winner in a 3-2 Thrashers victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Not only was it Antropov's first ever goal against his former team, but it also mathematically eliminated Toronto from post-season contention for the fifth straight season.

"It's good to hear," he said with a grin.

The Washington Capitals have talked a lot over the last few days about finishing the regular season strong, and they've managed to lose three straight games.

Maybe they should take a lesson or two from the Ottawa Senators. The Senators, also looking to be in top form for the post-season, won their fifth in a row Tuesday night, blowing an early lead before rallying to beat the Capitals 5-4 in overtime.

A single victory ended two losing streaks for the Los Angeles Kings.

One day after being recalled from Manchester of the American Hockey League, Jonathan Bernier made 34 saves to record his first career shutout and lead the Kings to a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.

It was probably one of the easiest goals Henrik Sedin has scored in his NHL career, but it became a short-handed backbreaker for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Sedin was virtually handed the puck by Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov during a five-minute Coyote power play, and the gaffe made a huge difference Tuesday in a 4-1 victory for the Vancouver Canucks.

The Vancouver Canucks are not calling it a suspension but defenceman Shane O'Brien will miss three NHL games for disciplinary reasons.

O'Brien didn't practise with the Canucks on Monday after showing up late to the arena.

"There is more to this than just yesterday's incident," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Tuesday, prior to Vancouver's game against the Phoenix Coyotes.

MInnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding is out for the rest of the season.

The team said Tuesday that Harding has a torn labrum in his hip and will likely need surgery. The Wild have six games remaining and are a longshot to make the playoffs.

Centre Glen Metropolit will miss at least the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury, the Montreal Canadiens announced Tuesday.

Metropolit was injured during a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Dan Carcillo has been suspended two games for cross-checking New Jersey's David Clarkson in the face during a game Sunday.

Carcillo received a match penalty for the hit, which resulted in a cut near Clarkson's right eye.