The Boston Bruins are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in the waning weeks of the season, so coming away with two points had to be at the forefront of their minds when they took the ice against the Nashville Predators at TD Garden on Tuesday evening.

Coming into Tuesday, Noel Acciari’s play had been progressively improving since his recall from the Providence Bruins on March 19.

And, against Nashville, the Johnston native produced the most memorable moment of his NHL career until this point.

With Boston up, 2-1, late in the third period, Acciari drove hard to the net on a 3-on-1 opportunity with Riley Nash and Drew Stafford. Nash held the puck on the left wing before slipping a backhand pass by a sliding Nashville defenseman to Acciari at the far post, who lifted a shot over a sprawling Pekka Rinne for his first NHL goal to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead with just 4:13 to go.

The tally essentially iced the win for Boston, which secured its second consecutive victory with a 4-1 final, creating a three-point cushion over Tampa Bay and four-point leads over the New York Islanders and Carolina for the final playoff spot.

Acciari’s goal was undoubtedly a special milestone, as he had to wait 43 games to get it.

“Your first NHL goal is just a special feeling,” Acciari said following the game. “It just shows you how special it is. It’s not going to come the first game you play. It could come 10 (games), 20, for me, probably over 40, but it still feels the same.”

Acciari has registered a goal and an assist and is a plus-4 rating in five games since being recalled by Boston on March 19.

He has been an ideal fit on the fourth line alongside Nash and Dominic Moore, altering the game with his physical style of play and adding some offense as well.

“He’s come up here and has really given us a chance to look at that fourth line and be heavier in terms of physicality because he can really get there to finish checks,” Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy said of Acciari at the post-game press conference. “He’s really added to that line and has slid in there seamlessly.”

Acciari and the Bruins will be back in action tonight when they host the Dallas Stars at 7:30 p.m.

Overall, Boston has just six games (vs. Dallas, vs. Florida, at Chicago, vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Ottawa and vs. Washington) remaining, and it will look to lock up a playoff spot for the first time since the 2013-14 season.