(My Sportsbook) - The normally laughable Southeast Division is the most competitive it has been, perhaps ever. Four teams are separated by a mere three points, and the Carolina Hurricanes are right in the thick of the mix.

But if the Canes are to win their second straight division championship, they're going to have to muster together some consistency to separate themselves from the rest of the bunch.

Carolina won only four game during the month of December, and began the New Year with a 6-3 loss to the woeful Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Well, the Canes hopefully started to build some momentum on Saturday, as Jeff O'Neill scored two power-play goals and Arturs Irbe made 32 saves to pace a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins at FleetCenter. Craig Adams and Erik Cole also tallied for the Hurricanes.

Joe Thornton and Glen Murray found the net for Boston, which has dropped three straight and is just 2-9-1 in its last 12. Steve Shields turned aside 37-of-41 shots in the losing effort.

The Hurricanes evened the score at 1-1 on O'Neill's first goal at 5:45 of the The Hurricanes evened the score at 1-1 on O'Neill's first goal at 5:45 of the first period. Shields stopped a shot from the point, but the puck dropped right to Francis at the right side of the crease. However, Francis was tied up and kicked the puck to O'Neill, who dumped a shot into the net.

Craig Adams scored at 3:37 of the second period to give Carolina a 2-1 lead. Shields made a stick save on Kevyn Adams shot from the right circle, but Craig Adams was able to knock in the rebound from the top of the crease.

A brawl occurred at center-ice late in the second period and the penalties called resulted in Carolina's third goal. Thornton was sent to the ice on a knee-to-knee hit by Sean Hill and the big centerman responded by tackling Hill. Various scuffles endued and both goaltenders came to center-ice. The Hurricanes wound up with a short two-man advantage and a power play.

Boston was able to kill off the 5-on-3, but O'Neill scored on a shot from the point to make it 3-1 with just 11 seconds left in the period.

Murray cut the lead to 3-2 at 2:08 of the third. Thornton won the faceoff back to Murray, whose shot from the top of the right circle sailed over Irbe's blocker.

However, Cole scored with 7:05 left to complete the scoring. His slap shot from the left point beat Shields.

UP NEXT

Carolina will play the third installment of a four-game road set Tuesday in Atlanta. The Hurricanes will visit the New York Rangers the following night.