RALEIGH, N.C. – Sergei Samsonov scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and the Boston Bruins moved into sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Joe Thornton and Martin Lapointe also had goals, and Felix Potvin made 21 saves for the Bruins, who have 101 points. Toronto was idle and has 99 points.

Ryan Bayda and Josef Vasicek scored for Carolina.

The teams were tied at 1 before the Bruins took control in the second period. They got Samsonov’s 15th goal, then withstood a five-on-three Carolina power play and got a good bounce to preserve their lead.

The Bruins added Thornton’s 23rd of the season for a two-goal advantage early in the third. Vasicek cut the deficit midway through the period, but Carolina got no closer.

Carolina’s power play was woeful yet again, failing to score on three chances. The Hurricanes had a two-man advantage for two minutes in the second period and a man advantage going into the third, but didn’t manage a shot on either power play. The Hurricanes have gone 0-for-26 on the power play since March 19.

Samsonov put the Bruins ahead to stay, taking a pass from Patrice Bergeron along the boards and beating Kevin Weekes from between the circles five minutes into the second period.

Carolina had a chance to tie it when Thornton was whistled for interference and Glen Murray called for hooking at 14:59 of the period, but the Hurricanes couldn’t take advantage.

With about 90 seconds left in the period, Carolina’s Craig Adams fired a shot at Potvin from the left side. The puck ricocheted off the skate of teammate Kevyn Adams and struck the right post.

Notes: Bayda’s first-period goal marked just the 29th time in 80 games that the Hurricanes scored first. … Rod Brind’Amour’s assist on Bayda’s goal gave him 13 points in 15 games. … Samsonov now has four goals and two assists in his last four games. … Boston improved to 9-2-1 in its last 12 games.

AP-ES-03-30-04 2140EST