Wings Win Again, Sens too

Detroit extends their winning streak and their playoff cushion at the same time, while Buffalo has a chance to clinch a berth with a win over Ottawa. The Northeast Division battle is Friday's Game of the Night:

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The domination continues. Buffalo had a chance to become the 4th team in the NHL to clinch a playoff spot tonight at home at HSBC Arena. That will have to wait another night. Buffalo trying to find a different way to beat the Senators will have to wait as well.

The Senators are 5-0-0 against the Sabres this year, and have won the last 9 versus Buffalo going back to last season. The 6th and final meeting of the year will be April 10th in Ottawa, which is the Senators' final game of the season and the Sabres' 2nd-to-last.

Chris Kelly started the scoring 6:42 into the 1st period to give Ottawa a 1-0 lead. Peter Regin made it 2-0 Senators 5:36 into the 2nd period.

Tim Kennedy bounced one in past Brian Elliott to cut the lead in half for Buffalo, but Jason Spezza was quick to answer on the power-play to put the Senators up by 2 once again, 3-1. They would take that lead into the 3rd.

Jason Pominville scored 1:34 into the 3rd period for Buffalo just after an astounding save from Ryan Miller to cut the lead to 1. But they couldn't solve Elliott again, and Daniel Alfredsson sealed it with an empty-net goal with 1 second remaining to give the Senators the 4-2 win.

Brian Elliot made 41 saves for the Senators to record his 3rd-straight win after 2 consecutive shutouts. Ryan Miller made 27 saves for Buffalo.

Not only did Ottawa spoil the chance for the Sabres to clinch a playoff spot, but their win keeps their chance to overcome Buffalo for the Northeast Division title alive. The Senators now have 85 points, sitting 5th in the East, and are 5 points back from Buffalo for 1st in the Northeast. The Sabres, though, do have 2 games-in-hand, as they sit 3rd in the East with 90 points.

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Wild 2 Red Wings 6

Detroit wins their 4th-straight game and they are 8-1-1 in their last 10. They remain 8th in the West, tied with Colorado in points for 7th with 89, but they extend their lead over the 9th-place Flames to 6 points. Both the Flames and Red Wings have 8 games left, while the 7th-place Avalanche have 9 left, as well as the 6th-place Kings who have 90 points. 5th-place Nashville is within Detroit's grasp as well, as the Predators have 91 points, only 2 ahead of the Red Wings, and Detroit has a game-in-hand on. Minnesota has 78 points and they are 13th in the West.

Ducks 3 Oilers 2

Edmonton's winning streak is halted at 3 as they're downed by the Ducks at home. After beating Detroit, San Jose, and Vancouver, they will finish their 4-game homestand 3-1-0. Anaheim breaks a 2-game losing streak of their own, as they move to 78 points and sit 11th in the West. Edmonton remains at 55 points, last in the West and last in the NHL.

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Saturday's Schedule (ET):

Flames @ Bruins, 1:00

Flyers @ Penguins, 1:00

Lightning @ Sabres, 7:00

Rangers @ Maple Leafs, 7:00

Devils @ Canadiens, 7:00, NHL Network

Panthers @ Senators, 7:00

Thrashers @ Hurricanes, 7:00

Islanders @ Blue Jackets, 7:00

Red Wings @ Predators, 8:00

Avalanche @ Coyotes, 9:00

Canucks @ Sharks, 10:00

Stars @ Kings, 10:30, FS West