NHL: Carolina 4, Boston 1

RALEIGH, N.C., May 8 (UPI) -- Jussi Jokinen scored the first of Carolina's three third-period goals Friday, pushing the Hurricanes into a commanding series lead with a 4-1 win over Boston.

Carolina owns a 3-1 advantage and needs one more victory to reach the Eastern Conference finals. The Hurricanes' first chance to wrap it up will come Sunday in Boston.

The game was tied at 1-1 going into the final period, which Carolina dominated. Jokinen scored the eventual game-winner 2:52 into the third with a power-play goal, Sergei Samsonov put a backhander past Tim Thomas with 5:29 to play and Eric Stall produced his second goal of the game with 4:19 remaining.

Staal set two franchise records by scoring the 18th playoff goal of his career and reaching 40 playoff points. This was Staal's 36th post-season game. He has scored in seven playoff contests this year and the Hurricanes have won them all.

Jokinen's big goal came after he had scored the overtime winner in Game 3 Wednesday. He has six playoff goals after managing only seven in the regular season.

Cam Ward made 17 saves to get the win. Thomas allowed four goals on 31 shots.

Boston stands on the verge of elimination after leading the Eastern Conference with 116 points during the regular campaign.