Blues Earn 23rd Consecutive Playoff Berth

Cory Stillman had two goals as the St. Louis Blues clinched a playoff berth for the 23rd consecutive season--the longest current streak in professional sports--with a 4-1 victory Thursday night over the San Jose Sharks.

Brent Johnson made 22 saves for the Blues, who denied the Sharks a chance to clinch their first division championship.

Ottawa 4, Boston 0--Roger Neilson made a successful return to the NHL coaching ranks as Jani Hurme earned his third shutout of the season at Ottawa.

Neilson will serve as head coach in his bid to become the ninth to reach 1,000 games.

Senator Coach Jacques Martin served as an associate to Neilson.

Neilson, an assistant with the Senators the last two seasons, earned his 460th career win in his 999th regular-season game.

Neilson’s head coaching career was interrupted in the 1999-2000 season, his second with Philadelphia, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

New York Islanders 5, Nashville 2--Oleg Kvasha and Kip Miller each had a goal and an assist as the Islanders won at Nashville.