Blackhawks Clinch Postseason Berth, NHL News

Looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champions and win their fourth title in seven years, the Chicago Blackhawks took a crucial step Sunday.

They're back in the playoffs.

Andrew Ladd scored the go-ahead goal with 2:27 left in the third period and Chicago clinched its eighth straight postseason berth with a 3-2 victory over the skidding Vancouver Canucks.

Jonathan Toews stickhandled into the Canucks zone before dropping a pass in the high slot to Ladd, who fired in a one-timer for his 23rd goal this season and sixth in 13 games with Chicago.

"I love the way he played the last couple of games," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "He brings that presence and has had some pace to his game and some energy and he was rewarded with some huge goals for us."

Ladd was coming off a three-point night against Calgary on Saturday in which he scored two goals and added an assist.

"We wanted to build on last night's win and just keep getting points," Ladd said. "It's still a dogfight in the standings and for position, and these are the games you need to have -- and a lot of times they are tough. You are playing against a team with nothing to lose and a lot of young guys that are trying to prove something and it can go either way."

Tomas Fleischmann and Teuvo Teravainen also scored to help the Blackhawks improve to 44-25-7. Trevor van Riemsdyk had two assists for the defending champs.

Sunday, March 27 Scoreboard

Carolina 3, New Jersey 2

Pittsburgh 3, NY Rangers 2 (OT)

Chicago 3, Vancouver 2

Monday, March 28 Schedule (All Times Central)

Winnipeg at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Columbus at Washington, 6 p.m.

Buffalo at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Toronto at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m.

Colorado at Nashville, 7 p.m.

Anaheim at Edmonton, 8 p.m.

Calgary at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Los Angeles at San Jose, 9 p.m.