RALEIGH, N.C. – Reilly Smith and Carl Soderberg had a goal and an assist each in the first period, and the Boston Bruins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Monday night.
Johnny Boychuk scored midway through the third period, and Milan Lucic added an empty-net goal for Boston, which has 11 points in its last seven games (5-1-1).
Boston killed four Carolina power plays, including 63 seconds when the Bruins were down two skaters. They haven't allowed a power-play goal in 32 short-handed situations since giving up goals on five consecutive power plays in October.
The Hurricanes played their first game since Oct. 24 with Cam Ward in net. Ward, who missed 10 games because of a leg injury, made 27 saves. He rebounded from a rough start in which he gave up two goals on Boston's first four shots.
Tuukka Rask stopped 23 shots for Boston.
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