Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

The Boston Bruins didn’t play very well on Tuesday night in Columbus, but still escaped with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Bruins ended a four game losing skid and stretched their lead in the Northeast Division to four points over the Montreal Canadiens, who lost 4-2 at home to the red hot Washington Capitals.

The Bruins never led in regulation, but were kept in the game by backup goaltender Tuuka Rask, who stopped 34 shots in regulation and overtime, then denied all three Columbus shootout attempts. The Blue Jackets took a 2-1 lead when Scottie Uphall scored his 20th of the season with under eight minutes left in the third period. Almost immediately, Columbus had the chance to go up two goals on a power play, but instead a turnover led to Bruins forward Rich Peverley scoring shorthanded to tie the game.

Boston rookie Tyler Seguin, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, scored the only goal in the shootout to give the Bruins the much-needed victory. Still, Boston coach Claude Julien was far from pleased with his team’s performance with only 13 games remaining in the regular season. “We are still not out of the woods yet,’’said Julien. “We’re not skating. We’re taking that extra second with the puck, and that’s costing us. Most of all, I think it’s a lack of confidence.”

Despite getting one point, the Blue Jackets are mired in 12th place in the Western Conference, seven points behind the eighth-place Calgary Flames for the final playoff spot. “The mindset now is we have to win every game,” said never-say-die Blue Jackets star Rick Nash. “This was another tough loss of a point.”