Give it up for Dennis Wideman

As I've said recently, Tim Thomas has had an awful season but it pales in comparison to Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman.

After a career-year last season (50 points and an amazing +32), Wideman can't get out of his own way this season. He has just 22 points and a team-worst -16. His biggest skill is moving the puck up ice and being a mobile defenseman but countless times this season lazy passes and getting caught too far up in the offensive zone have invaded Wideman's game.

Therefore it was nice to see Wideman have a positive effect in yesterday's 2-1 Bruins (32-27-12) win over the New York Rangers (31-32-9) at the TD Garden.

The win kept the B's one point ahead of the Atlanta Thrashers for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

It seemed like the millionth time that these boring-as-watching-pain-dry teams played this season so it was nice that they spiced it up with some fights and chippy play.

As per usual with both teams, goals were at a premium so it was only fitting that they came from some unlikely sources.

Miroslav Satan gave Boston a 1-0 lead in the second period off a one-timer from Andrew Ference. Johnny Boychuk also assisted.

Wideman scored the game-winner in the third period with a backhand shot from Vladimir Sobotka and Milan Lucic.

Michael Del Zotto scored for the Rangers with 3:04 left but Tuukka Rask (23 saves) held the fort down for the win.

Boston travels to Atlanta tomorrow night for an eighth-place showdown.