3 takeaways from Saturday's early games: Lundqvist and Datsyuk return

Henrik Lundqvist, Pavel Datsyuk back in action

Numerous veterans returned from injuries in time to help their teams fight for playoff positions.

Henrik Lundqvist was a welcome sight in goal for the New York Rangers after missing nearly two months with a neck injury, but the Boston Bruins spoiled the party by putting four goals past Lundqvist on 30 shots in a 4-2 win.

Pavel Datsyuk also returned to action Saturday after missing two weeks with a lower-body injury. He played 18:19 and fired two shots in the Detroit Red Wings' 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky scored in his return to the New York Islanders' lineup after missing two weeks with a lower-body injury, but the Islanders dropped their seventh consecutive home game 3-2 to the Anaheim Ducks.

Ducks, Predators, Canadiens clinch playoff spots

A loss by the Calgary Flames on Friday opened the door for a pair of Western Conference teams to secure postseason berths.

The Nashville Predators did so with a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, while the Ducks locked up their spot by downing the Islanders. Nashville and Anaheim join the Rangers as the first three teams to qualify for the playoffs.

The Montreal Canadiens also clinched a spot Saturday with an overtime victory against the Florida Panthers, who are still clinging to their slim playoff hopes with a point from the loss.

Eastern Conference wild card race heats up

The Bruins put pressure on the Ottawa Senators with their victory and Ottawa suffered a setback against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, earning a single point in a 4-3 overtime loss.

The Senators trail Boston by a point for the final wild card spot with a game in hand and the Panthers are only three points behind Ottawa, setting the stage for a nail-biting stretch run. The Bruins hold the tiebreaker with the most regulation and overtime wins (34) among the three teams.