National Hockey

NEW YORK — John Tavares heard the New York Islanders fans chanting his name in the closing minutes of the team's final home game of the season.

PHILADELPHIA — A crucial victory kept the Flyers in control of their own playoff destiny. Jakub Voracek scored with 5:45 left in the third period to lift playoff-chasing Philadelphia over the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Thursday night.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers are still alive for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They're going to need some help, though.

WASHINGTON — Nashville Predators players stood around the locker room after beating the Washington Capitals 4-3, huddled around cellphones watching and rooting for more franchise history.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Pittsburgh Penguins battled back to force overtime and picked up a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, who still got the point they needed to clinch a playoff spot for the second straight season.

NEWARK, N.J. — As five years of hockey frustration ended for the New Jersey Devils, players embraced, raised their sticks to salute their long-suffering fans and just imagined what the future held.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks are not making changes behind the bench after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

DETROIT — Montreal coach Claude Julien acknowledged the Canadiens can benefit by losing, increasing their chances in the NHL draft lottery.

VANCOUVER — Endless class and mind-bending goals — that's what Vancouver Canucks fans say they love and will miss the most about Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

The ink was barely dry on his contract when Ryan Donato played his first professional game.