COLUMBUS – The Blue Jackets failed to clinch a playoff spot, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Bruins in their final game this season at Nationwide Arena.
Jake DeBrusk had two goals and an assist to lead Boston, while Tuuka Rask made 32 saves. Brad Marchand and Karson Kuhlman each had a goal and an assist. Boston has its playoff spot locked up, while the Blue Jackets fall to the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Columbus and Montreal both have 94 points with two games left in the regular season but the Blue Jackets currently own the tiebreaker.
The Canadiens came up with a big win against the league-leading Tamps Bay Lightning. Artturi Lehkonen and Max Domi scored third period goals to lead Montreal to a 4-2 win that keeps the Canadiens within reach of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Carolina Hurricanes leapfrogged Columbus with a 4-1 road win in Toronto. The victory also pulled the Canes within two points of the Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Pittsburgh missed out on a chance to clinch a playoff spot when Tyler Bertuzzi led the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 home victory.
Columbus trails Pittsburgh by three points with road games at the Rangers and Ottawa. Columbus trails both the Penguins and Hurricanes in wins in regulation and overtime wins (ROW), the first tiebreaker.