Predators, Sharks set for playoff rematch

Roberto Luongo made 27 saves in his 47th win for the Canucks, who also clinched the Pacific Division title for the Anaheim Ducks by ending San Jose’s five-game winning streak.

Kevin Bieksa scored a power-play goal for Vancouver early in the third period for a 3-2 lead, but Jonathan Cheechoo tied it with 32 seconds left while Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov was pulled for an extra attacker.

Joe Thornton had a goal and two assists for San Jose, but finished his 114-point regular season in the penalty box after a tripping call.

By earning one point, San Jose clinched the No. 5 seed in next week’s playoffs against Nashville.

Luongo is headed to his first postseason. He tied Bernie Parent’s long-standing, NHL single-season record of 47 wins _ though it already was surpassed by New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur earlier in the week.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Tim Connolly scored his first goal of the season, helping the Buffalo Sabres secure the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history.

Connolly scored in his return from a concussion sustained in last year’s playoffs to help Buffalo beat the Washington Capitals 2-0 on Saturday and clinch the best record in the NHL.

The Sabres’ franchise-record 53rd win was enough to lock up the Presidents’ Trophy title and home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs that begin next week.

Derek Roy and Connolly scored in the first 10 minutes, giving the Sabres a sufficient cushion and ensuring that the last-place Capitals would finish the season with the same point total (70) as last year.

Ryan Miller preserved the lead with his second shutout of the season.

One game after setting a franchise, single-season record for wins, he stopped 26 shots for his 40th victory.