Streaking Blues Beat Skidding Red Wings

The St. Louis Blues had one of the strongest finishes in the NHL and the Detroit Red Wings had one of the worst.

Both teams, however, know that none of that matters once the playoffs start this week.

St. Louis got goals from five players and defeated the Red Wings, 5-3, Sunday at Detroit.

The Blues, which will play host to Chicago in the first round later this week, won the final four games of the regular season and eight of 11.

Detroit, which will play Vancouver in the first round and has the league’s best record, is winless in seven and has only one victory in 10 games.

There was pushing and shoving throughout, resulting in nine penalties for each team, and when Cory Stillman scored the final goal at 18:19 of the third--after hitting Detroit goaltender Dominik Hasek near the neck with his stick--a several-minute delay ensued as fans threw debris on the ice.

“These two teams are very competitive, and Detroit-St. Louis is a big rivalry,” Tkachuk said. “We always play them that way, and that’s the way hockey should be played.”

New York Islanders 3, Philadelphia 1--Dave Scatchard scored early in the third period to break a tie at Uniondale, N.Y., helping the Islanders secure fifth place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Philadelphia will play Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs.

Phoenix 6, Nashville 4--The Coyotes scored four goals in the third period at Phoenix to lock up the victory and sixth place in the Western Conference.

Edmonton 4, Minnesota 2--Josh Green had two unassisted goals and backup goalie Jussi Markkanen made 30 saves for the Oilers at St. Paul, Minn.

Chicago 2, Columbus 0--Eric Daze scored his 200th career goal and the host Blackhawks clinched the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

Dallas 2, Colorado 2--Steven Reinprecht scored with 2:59 left in regulation at Denver and the Avalanche secured home-ice advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Carolina 2, Atlanta 2--Martin Gelinas scored in the third period at Atlanta, helping Southeast Division-champion Carolina stay unbeaten in 15 games all-time against the Trashers.

Tampa Bay 3, Florida 2--Vincent Lecavalier scored during a two-man advantage in overtime at Sunrise, Fla. Lecavalier’s 20th goal made him the first player in team history to post three consecutive 20-goal seasons.