The visiting Florida Panthers ended one of the longest playoff droughts in major North American sports Thursday night despite a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, who also earned a postseason bid to complete the eight-team field for the Eastern Conference.

Both teams qualified after Philadelphia eliminated Buffalo.

Still to be determined is the winner of the Southeast Division. The Panthers are in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, but they also will win their first division title in franchise history if they gain at least a point at home against Carolina or if the Capitals lose to the New York Rangers on Saturday, the final day of the regular season.

Devils 2, Red Wings 1: Petr Sykora broke a tie with 8:40 left in New Jersey's win at Detroit.

Hurricanes 2, Canadiens 1, SO: At Raleigh, N.C., Eric Staal scored in the shootout to lift Carolina past Montreal.

Islanders 5, Jets 4: At Uniondale, N.Y., former Spokane Chief Michael Grabner scored twice and New York beat Winnipeg.

Maple Leafs 3, Lightning 2, OT: Dion Phaneuf scored in overtime and host Toronto beat Tampa Bay.

Flyers 2, Sabres 1: Matt Read and Marc-Andre Bourdon each scored and host Philadelphia beat Buffalo.

Penguins 5, Rangers 2: Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves and host Pittsburgh beat New York.

Bruins 3, Senators 1: Anton Khudobin stopped 44 shots and Boston won at Ottawa.

Predators 2, Stars 0: Pekka Rinne made 28 saves and Nashville beat visiting Dallas.

Sharks 6, Kings 5, SO: Joe Pavelski's shootout goal lifted San Jose at Los Angeles.

Flames 3, Canucks 2: Michael Cammalleri scored twice and host Calgary beat Vancouver.

Wild 2, Blackhawks 1, SO: At St. Paul, Minn., Devin Setoguchi's shootout goal lifted Minnesota past Chicago.

Ducks 3, Oilers 2, OT: Ryan Getzlaf scored in overtime and Anaheim won at Edmonton.

Blue Jackets 5, Avalanche 2: At Denver, Cam Atkinson scored three goals and Columbus beat Colorado.