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Sharks Secure Postseason in Wild Shootout

Khabibulin, 'Hawks shut out Capitals; Ducks skewer Stars

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 20, 2008 5:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – San Jose had to put in a longer work night to clinch a playoff berth after Minnesota's Marion Gaborik turned a 3-2 Sharks lead into an overtime battle last night. Evgeni Nabokov came through in the shootout to put a 4-3 cap on the often fierce game, the San Jose Mercury News reports. On other major-league ice:

  • Nikolai Khabibulin took Chicago's pregame honoring of shutout-prone former goalie Tony Esposito to heart, blanking Washington to give the Blackhawks a decisive 5-0 victory.
  • Dallas had kept things even for nearly three periods, but a Todd Bertuzzi power-play goal with 27 seconds remaining put Anaheim over the top with a 2-1 win.

Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kunitz, rear, and Dallas Stars center Mike Ribeiro (63) go flying as they collide while competing for a puck.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kunitz, rear, and Dallas Stars center Mike Ribeiro (63) go flying as they collide while competing for a puck.   (Associated Press)
Anaheim Ducks left wing Brad May, raises his arms as he's escorted to the penalty box by NHL official Darren Gibbs, right, after a fight with Dallas Stars right wing Krys Barch, left rear.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Brad May, raises his arms as he's escorted to the penalty box by NHL official Darren Gibbs, right, after a fight with Dallas Stars right wing Krys Barch, left rear.   (Associated Press)
Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric (28) and Anaheim Ducks center Todd Marchant (22) compete for a loose puck in the second period.
Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric (28) and Anaheim Ducks center Todd Marchant (22) compete for a loose puck in the second period.   (Associated Press)
San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski, center, is hugged by teammates Craig Rivet, left, Milan Michalek, top right, and Jeremy Roenick (27) after Pavelski's goal in the third period.
San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski, center, is hugged by teammates Craig Rivet, left, Milan Michalek, top right, and Jeremy Roenick (27) after Pavelski's goal in the third period.   (Associated Press)
San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, of Kazakhstan, left, stops a shot attempt by Minnesota Wild right wing Marian Gaborik during the shootout.
San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, of Kazakhstan, left, stops a shot attempt by Minnesota Wild right wing Marian Gaborik during the shootout.   (Associated Press)
Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster, bottom, collides with San Jose Sharks center Torrey Mitchell, top. Foster left the game with an injury after the play.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster, bottom, collides with San Jose Sharks center Torrey Mitchell, top. Foster left the game with an injury after the play.   (Associated Press)
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin takes a break from shutting out the Washington Capitals during a timeout in the third period.
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin takes a break from shutting out the Washington Capitals during a timeout in the third period.   (Associated Press)
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, left, knocks the puck away from Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (8).
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, left, knocks the puck away from Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (8).   (Associated Press)
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March 19 NHL Games

Blackhawks 5 Capitals 0
Chicago Sun-Times

Stars 2 Ducks 1
Dallas Morning News

 
NHL • Chicago Blackhawks • Anaheim Ducks • hockey • Washington Capitals • Minnesota Wild • Dallas Stars • San Jose Sharks • Nikolai Khabibulin • Evgeni Nabokov • Todd Bertuzzi • Tony Esposito • Marion Gaborik

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