WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Jeff O'Neill scored a power-play goal 9:03 into the second period Wednesday night as Carolina edged Washington, 2-1.
O'Neill went down to a knee for a one-timer from low in the left faceoff circle, blasting defenseman Sean Hill's feed past goaltender Sebastien Charpentier to make it 2-0.
It was just the 12th goal for O'Neill, who averaged 34 the previous three seasons and scored a career-best 41 in 2000-01. Earlier in the game, he hit a goalpost and the crossbar.
Arturs Irbe made his season debut for Carolina, stopping 18 shots and collecting his franchise-record 126th win in his return from the ECHL.
He helped the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002 but since has lost his job to Kevin Weekes.
Erik Cole also scored for the Hurricanes, who are unbeaten in three games for the first time since November.
