The Washington Capitals clinched the Southeast Division title with a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, as all the playoff qualifiers were settled on the penultimate day of the NHL season. The win was the Capitals' seventh straight, the franchise's longest in 15 years and a streak that tipped Carolina out of the playoff spots. The Capitals finished last in the Southeast each of the past three season and were still there as late as Dec. 30. They became the first NHL team to make the playoffs after sitting at 14th or 15th in the conference at the halfway mark. Blues 3, Blue Jackets 0: In St. Louis, Keith Tkachuk scored the 498th and 499th goals of his career as St. Louis beat Columbus. Manny Legace earned his 27th career shutout, stopping 25 shots for his fifth shutout of the season. The Blue Jackets, who dropped their fifth game in six decisions, were outscored 14-2 in their past three games in St. Louis. Ducks 4, Kings 3: In Los Angeles, Anaheim's Teemu Selanne scored two goals, including the third period winner, to clinch victory over Los Angeles. Selanne fired a wrist shot from the left circle past Dan Cloutier to break a 3-3 tie. In other games it was: Sabres 3, Bruins 0; Canadiens 3, Maple Leafs 1; Thrashers 4, Lightning 1; Flames 7, Canucks 1. __
