RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Mark 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 Cole

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.

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