Brad Marchand's 100th Point, Hurricanes Gain Ground, Top Highlights from April 2

Even though the Boston Bruins already have a place in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they played a significant role in determining the remaining participants in the Eastern Conference field Tuesday night. 

On a night when Brad Marchand recorded his 100th point of the 2018-19 season, the Bruins downed the Columbus Blue Jackets to set back their playoff hopes. 

The Carolina Hurricanes were the main beneficiaries of Boston's victory after they won and moved into the top wild-card spot with two games to go, while the Montreal Canadiens moved level on points with Columbus. 

In the Western Conference, the playoff picture became clearer since the Colorado Avalanche's win over the Edmonton Oilers officially knocked out the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks from the wild-card race. 

Tuesday's NHL Scores

Nashville 3, Buffalo 2

Boston 6, Columbus 2

Carolina 4, Toronto 1

Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 2 

Detroit 4, Pittsburgh 1

Minnesota 5, Winnipeg 1

Dallas 6. Philadelphia 2

Colorado 6, Edmonton 2

Vancouver 4, San Jose 2

Los Angeles 3, Arizona 1

Marchand Records 100th Point 

Wilson Swerves Past Defender, Scores on Backhand

Seguin Feeds Radulov from Across Ice

Nurse Scores from Tight Angle

Lindell's Quick Reaction in Front of Net 

Bruins Score Fluky Goal

Pavelski Scores on Return

Hamilton Nets Goal on 2nd Attempt

Parise's Hot Start Fuels Minnesota

Lehkonen Swats in Go-Ahead Goal

MacKinnon Records 40th Goal

Marchand Reaches 100 Points for 1st Time in Career

By the time the third period began at Nationwide Arena, the Bruins were already in control against the Blue Jackets.

But Boston's fifth tally was the most meaningful of the night, as Marchand fed David Pastrnak with an assist to eclipse 100 points for the first time in his 10-year career.

After the game, the left wing was quick to point out that his performance helped the Bruins continue to create momentum going into the postseason, per the team's official Twitter account:

"It's a cool personal stat, but at the end of the day I've said this before, it all goes toward the same goal, which is getting to the playoffs, and we're right there."

The Nova Scotia native was able to record the achievement in front of his father, who is going home with the puck from that milestone, per the team's official Twitter account:

The victory, combined with Carolina's win, secured home ice for the Bruins in the Atlantic Division first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for the Blue Jackets, they have work to do in their final two games to survive the playoff hunt, as they are one point behind Carolina and level with Montreal.

Hurricanes Gain Control of Wild-Card Race

The 94th and 95th points earned by the Hurricanes were the most important of the season to date.

The victory in Toronto allowed the Canes to create some separation between themselves and two other teams in the wild-card hunt.

Tuesday's win tied the franchise's all-time mark for road wins in a season at 21, a number that has been hit on three occasions:

Carolina also earned the third-highest point total in franchise history, and it can match the 2008-09 mark of 97 points with a win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday:

With New Jersey and the Philadelphia Flyers left on the schedule, the Hurricanes should be able to clinch one of the two wild-card spots.

The top wild-card position carries plenty of importance this season since it would allow the Hurricanes to avoid the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

At the moment, Carolina is slated to play the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals in the opening round.

Wednesday's NHL Schedule

Ottawa at New York Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET)

St. Louis at Chicago (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN)

Calgary at Anaheim (10:30 p.m. ET)

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.