Hockey

CALGARY — Mikael Backlund's first-period goal gave Calgary the lead and the Flames never looked back, picking up two huge points with a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

EDMONTON — Connor McDavid assisted on all four goals as the Edmonton Oilers officially clinched a playoff berth with a 4-2 victory over the last-place San Jose Sharks on Friday.

OTTAWA — The Montreal Canadiens have been playing some of their best hockey in recent weeks, but they came up short with a chance to clinch a playoff spot.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Marco Kasper scored his second goal of the game at 3:22 of overtime to give the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. Patrick Kane and Tyler Motte also scored for Detroit.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied from two goals down and beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Friday night.

OTTAWA — Shane Pinto scored twice as the Ottawa Senators prevented the Montreal Canadiens from clinching a playoff spot with a 5-2 win on Friday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Getting Alex Ovechkin the NHL goals record was a major motivator for the Washington Capitals over the past month. That came Sunday when he scored the 895th of his career.

Gabriel Landeskog is expected to play in a professional game Friday night for the first time in nearly three years when he suits up with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have extended their arena naming rights deal with retail chain Canadian Tire, the NHL club announced Friday. The length and value of the contract were not disclosed.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes on Friday signed top prospect Alexander Nikishin to a two-year, entry-level contract that begins immediately.