Hype for April 05, 2010

Winning the Central Division was almost anti-climatic for the Chicago Blackhawks, even if it was high on the team's to-do list.

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, and the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Sunday, shortly after clinching their first division title since winning the Norris Division in 1992-93. The Blackhawks, winners of three straight, were handed the Central Division minutes before the puck was dropped when Detroit lost at Philadelphia.

Defenceman Shane O'Brien apologized as he returned to the Vancouver Canucks following a one-week exile Sunday.

"I made a mistake, I'm human and things happen, but, being a professional, it's no excuse," O'Brien told reporters after participating in a morning skate before the Canucks hosted the Minnesota Wild at GM Place. "It's a privilege and an honour to play in the NHL. I made a mistake and I learned from it and did my time."

O'Brien was banned from team workouts and a California road trip after he reported late for practice last Monday. The 26-year-old rearguard also revealed he was eight pounds over a 227-pound weight limit set by the club.

On the strength of a tipped shot in overtime, John-Michael Liles changed the course of his slumping team.

Liles redirected Ryan Wilson's shot at 2:59 of the extra period, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on Sunday night to gain ground in the race for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Vancouver Canucks clinched the Northwest Division title, but the Minnesota Wild made sure they had to work for it.

Sami Salo's overtime power-play goal gave the Canucks a 4-3 victory Sunday over a Minnesota team that lived up to its Wild name. Despite being badly outplayed most of the night, Minnesota rallied from a 3-1 deficit with less than a minute left in regulation.