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RALEIGH -- Blake Wheeler scored twice in the second period, and Michael Ryder broke a tie with 6:14 left to help the Boston Bruins win their seventh straight game, 4-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Chuck Kobasew added an empty-net goal for Eastern Conference-leading Boston.

Matt Cullen and Anton Babchuk scored for Carolina.

Carolina opened the scoring in the first period when Chad LaRose's shot deflected off Matt Cullen's leg and past goalie Tim Thomas at 3:54.

Wheeler scored twice in a 3:41 span of the second to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. He tied it with a wrist shot against the grain as he skated through the slot, then scored off a scramble with goalie Cam Ward out of position.

Babchuk tied it at 2 midway through the second period, blasting a slap shot from the right point.

Ryder's goal came after a Carolina turnover in its own end. Marc Savard stripped Rod Brind'Amour of the puck and started the play that led the winning goal.

The Hurricanes had numerous chances in the third period before falling behind. Carolina drew three penalties, including two to P.J. Axelsson in the first four minutes of the period. But Carolina failed to capitalize and finished 0-of-4 on the power play.

Boston 0 2 2 -- 4

Carolina 1 1 0 -- 2

First period--1, Carolina, Cullen 9 (LaRose, Kaberle), 16:06.

Second period--2, Boston, Wheeler 12 (Hunwick), 2:23. 3, Boston, Wheeler 13 (Krejci, Wideman), 6:04. 4, Carolina, Babchuk 2 (Sutter, Bayda), 10:58.

Third period--5, Boston, Ryder 13 (Savard), 13:46. 6, Boston, Kobasew 6 (Savard, Wideman), 19:44 (en).

Shots on goal--Boston 7-5-10--22. Carolina 14-11-6--31.

Goalies--Boston, Thomas. Carolina, C.Ward. A--16,705 (18,680). T--2:23.