The Boston Bruins carry a seven-game winning streak into Saturday's road meeting against the New York Islanders (7 p.m., NESN).
That streak almost ended Thursday night, when the Bruins needed a shootout to defeat the NHL's worst team. The Columbus Blue Jackets fought to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, but the Bruins earned two points when Tuukka Rask stoned Antoine Vermette on Columbus' final shootout attempt.
The Islanders ended a four-game skid Thursday night with a 4-3 win against Montreal. New York skated to a 3-0 lead, then held on for the win.
"We knew that we had to start winning games," Travis Hamonic said. "This was the biggest game of the year so far. We did a lot of good things tonight and have to make sure we keep going in the right direction.
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