SAN JOSE, Calif. — Evgeni Nabokov made 27 saves for his 50th career shutout, and the San Jose Sharks clinched a playoff berth while climbing back atop the Western Conference standings with a 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Defensemen Dan Boyle and Rob Blake scored power-play goals in the second period for San Jose.

In other games on Thursday:

Lightning 5

Bruins 3

BOSTON — Steve Stamkos scored twice, tying him for the NHL lead with 45 goals, and Paul Szczechura also had a pair of goals to lead Tampa Bay to a victory over Boston.

Rangers 4

Devils 3

NEWARK, N.J. — Chris Drury scored the tying goal with 16.5 seconds left in regulation and Erik Christensen had the only tally in the shootout for New York.

Maple Leafs 2

Thrashers 1

ATLANTA — Mikhail Grabovski’s tip-in 39 seconds into overtime gave Toronto the victory, damaging Atlanta’s playoff hopes.

Hurricanes 3

Capitals 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — Chad LaRose scored in the fifth round of a shootout to lift Carolina past Eastern Conference-leading Washington.

Blue Jackets 8

Blackhawks 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Antoine Vermette had two goals and an assist, and Columbus scored four second-period goals to hand Chicago its worst loss of the season.

Wild 4

Flyers 3

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Brodziak scored in overtime for Minnesota, sending reeling Philadelphia to its sixth loss in seven games.

Islanders 3

Flames 2

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Matt Moulson and Bruno Gervais scored third-period goals in the New York Islanders’ comeback victory.

Predators 4

Coyotes 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David Legwand scored the shootout winner for Nashville, and Steve Sullivan, Patric Hornqvist and Dan Hamhuis connected in regulation.

Canadiens 4

Panthers 1

MONTREAL — Brian Gionta scored twice — including Montreal’s second empty-net goal — and Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves.

Blues 3

Kings 1

ST. LOUIS — T.J. Oshie scored his first goal in 10 games, B.J. Crombeen and Paul Kariya also scored, and Chris Mason stopped 30 shots for St. Louis.