The Hurricanes look as if they're ready to ride it out with Cam Ward as their goaltender. He's capable of being exceptional, though often he has been ordinary the last couple of seasons.

But if there's one thing coach Paul Maurice isn't afraid of doing, it's settling on a goalie and keeping it that way.

Maurice made former goalie Arturs Irbe a fixture in the lineup during part of his first coaching go-around with the Hurricanes. Maurice has given every indication that he intends to give Ward a chance to experience the same treatment.

Ward should be in good enough physical condition to deal with the workload. But he'll have to find the consistent mental sharpness to make it all work.

There's little question that Ward should be in line to get the call when the Hurricanes play their next game Wednesday night against the visiting Atlanta Thrashers. That will come after the Hurricanes have a three-day break in the schedule.

BRUINS 4, HURRICANES 2: The Hurricanes failed to take advantage of their chances in the first two periods, and that was costly in this home loss. They had 25 shots and only two goals through 40 minutes, then managed only six shots on goal after that. Boston, which hadn't played since Tuesday, was fresher at the end. Most discouraging for the Hurricanes was doing nothing with three third-period power plays.