Bruins sitting on points cushion

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins provided themselves some cushioning in the playoff race with their longest win streak in nearly two months. Their next opponent will try for its longest in four months Thursday, but the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t beaten the Bruins in nearly three years.

Boston (34-22-10) moved six points ahead of Florida for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and seven ahead of Ottawa with a 3-1 win Tuesday.