Sabres Clinch Atlantic Division with 5-1 Win Over Blackhawks

CHICAGO — The Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at the United Center, securing their first divisional crown since the 2009-10 season and earning a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Tage Thompson led the way with two goals, reaching the 40-goal mark for the season and marking his third year with at least that many tallies. Alex Tuch contributed a goal and an assist, notching his 32nd goal of the year, while Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris also scored for Buffalo, which improved to 50-23-8. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 15 of 16 shots in net. The win marked Buffalo's fourth straight victory and the third time in franchise history the team has reached 50 wins in a season, previously achieved in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Chicago struck first, 3:58 into the game, when Ryan Greene scored a shorthanded goal to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. Norris responded quickly for Buffalo, tying the score at 1-1 with 58 seconds left in the first period, beating goaltender Spencer Knight with a shot over his right shoulder. Norris, who has two goals and six assists in his last seven games, finished with his 12th goal...