BUFFALO, New York: Thomas Vanek scored 1:16 into overtime to cap a two-goal comeback and the Buffalo Sabres clinched an NHL playoff berth with a 4-3 victory over the slumping Philadelphia Flyers Friday. Vanek finished with a goal and two assists, while Nathan Gerbe scored twice, including a highlight reel spin-around goal that tied it midway through the third period. Jason Pominville also scored for the Sabres, who had already secured a postseason spot by earning a point when the game entered overtime. Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell had a goal and assist, and Kris Versteeg also scored for Philadelphia, winless in its past five games. The Flyers late-season skid has prevented them from clinching the Atlantic Division title, and they've now fallen into a tie with Pittsburgh. With 104 points, both teams have one game left, though the Flyers have the tiebreaker edge on their cross-state rivals. The Flyers loss also allowed Washington to clinch the top spot in the East. Predators 4, Blue Jackets 1: At Nashville, Patric Hornqvist scored two goals and had an assist, and Nashville clinched its sixth playoff berth in seven seasons with a victory over Columbus. Matt Halischuk and Sergei Kostitsyn also scored for Nashville. The Predators will wrap up the regular season Saturday night in St. Louis with a chance to earn the Western Conference's fourth seed and start the playoffs at home _ where they went 24-8-9 this season. Derick Brassard scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have lost five straight. Other results: Hurricanes 6, Thrashers 1; Penguins 4, Islanders 3, SO; Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2; Lightning 4, Panthers 2; Stars 3, Avalanche 2; Wild 3, Oilers 1; Ducks 2, Kings 1; Coyotes 4, Sharks 3.
