RALEIGH, N.C., April 6 (UPI) -- Backup goalie Johan Hedberg made 32 saves and Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 41st goal of the season Friday night to lead the Atlanta Thrashers past Carolina, 4-1.
The Thrashers had already clinched their first-ever playoff spot, and are in position to clinch the Southeast Division title following the Florida Panthers' 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in regulation Friday night.
The Lightning are three points behind Atlanta, with the teams set to square off Saturday in the final regular-season game for both.
Pascal Dupuis, Marian Hossa and Eric Belanger also scored for Atlanta.
Cam Ward gave up all four Thrashers' goals on 28 shots and Anson Carter scored the only goal for the Hurricanes, who will miss the playoffs.
Kovalchuk opened the scoring at 3:11 of the first period, beating Ward unassisted.
