Bruins score 3 in 3rd to beat Hurricanes 5-2
The Associated PressMark Recchi, Michael Ryder and David Krejci scored third-period goals to help the Boston Bruins maintain eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
Boston was 1-3-1 in its previous five previous games, losing ground in positioning for the playoffs. However, the Bruins had a strong ending to a long stint away from Boston, earning seven points in seven road games.
Tuukka Rask made 30 saves for Boston, which improved to 17-3-4 when leading after one period. Patrice Bergeron scored less than a minute into the game, and Johnny Boychuk gave Boston a 2-0 lead midway through the second period.
The Hurricanes cut the lead to 3-2 on Erik Coles second goal of the game, early in the third period, and had several solid chances moments later that were turned aside by Rask. Ryder then took a giveaway from Brian Pothier and scored the clincher with 10:12 remaining. Manny Legace finished with 32 saves for Carolina.
Bergeron's goal, 37 seconds in, started a flurry for Boston that could have produced a bigger first-period lead. The Bruins outshot the Hurricanes 18-7 in the first period but could not build on the lead despite 1:41 of a 5-on-3 power play. Boston's power play ranked 25th of 30 teams coming into the game.
The Hurricanes fell to 2-17-6 when trailing after one period.
NOTES: Bergeron left the ice late in the game with an injury after taking a puck off his leg. ... Marc Savard missed his fifth consecutive game for Boston with a concussion. ... Paul Maurice coached his 800th game for the Hurricanes franchise. ... Carolina defenseman Joni Pitkanen played his 400th NHL game. ... Carolina's Jamie McBain assisted on Cole's first goal, giving McBain a point in his first NHL game. ... Cole's goal was his first since Dec. 5.