nhl roundup \ Sunday’s games

Rangers 4, Flyers 3

PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers are packing their bags for the first round of the playoffs. Sean Avery and Blair Betts scored third-period goals to rally the Rangers, spoiling Philadelphia’s shot at home-ice advantage against Pittsburgh in its opening playoff series. The Flyers (99 points) needed only point in the finale to secure the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and home ice in the best-of-seven series with Pittsburgh. Instead, the rematch from last season’s conference finals will start in Pittsburgh.

Blues 1, Avalanche 0

DENVER — Chris Mason made 28 saves for his sixth shutout of the season, helping the Blues take the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Blues, in the playoffs for the first time in five years, will face Vancouver in the opening round. St. Louis enters the postseason on quite a roll, going 9-1-1 down the stretch. Brad Boyes scored the only goal of the game early in the first period.

Bruins 6, Islanders 2

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Phil Kessel had three goals and an assist to help the Bruins wrap up their Eastern Conference championship. Michael Ryder, Marc Savard and Chuck Kobasew also scored for the Bruins, who will face Montreal in the first round of the playoffs. Tim Thomas made 32 saves for his 36th victory. Radek Martinek and Doug Weight had goals for New York. The Islanders finished last overall in the NHL, losing their last four games. They had 47 regulation losses.

Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 0

CHICAGO — Nikolai Khabibulin made 37 saves for his 41st career shutout, and the Blackhawks tuned up for their first playoff appearance in seven years. Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews scored first-period goal for Chicago and Dave Bolland converted on the power play in the third. Khabibulin’s shutout was his third this season. Chicago’s victory in the meaningless game was its second in 24 hours against the Red Wings, coming on the heels of Saturday’s 4-2 win at Detroit

Associated Press