Now 17 months removed from the major shoulder operation he underwent on the eve of training camp in 2006, the defenseman has one fewer point in the past 13 games (eight) than he did in the first 55 games this season (nine).

Paired lately with Joe Corvo, Kaberle appears to have regained his offensive touch -- and confidence. And just in time for Kaberle, whose struggles at both ends of the ice since he returned last February have pained not only him but the Hurricanes as well.

He didn't get off to the best start after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in August, but he's playing his best hockey in two years now.

"I don't know what's happened," Kaberle said. "I feel good right now. I feel like I'm playing with confidence. I think that's the biggest change. The whole team is playing good now."

It's hard to believe, given the offensive prowess he showed during that 44-point 2005-06 season, that Kaberle, before Wednesday, had never produced a three-point game in a Carolina uniform.

His three assists in a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers tied a career-high he last reached with Atlanta in November 2003 and gave him 18 points -- all assists -- in 68 games this season. He had eight points in his abbreviated 27-game campaign last spring.

But it's Kaberle's all-around performance that may be more notable. During this latest stretch of eight points in 15 games, he is plus-5 -- arguing that he's getting the job done defensively as well.

"I think him and Joe have found a little chemistry out there," coach Peter Laviolette said. "They've done a good job moving the puck and being 'plus' players and creating offense. They've done well together."

It may not just be the unorthodox pairing with Corvo -- not often are two defensemen of such an offensive mentality put together -- but Corvo's mere presence that has helped stabilize Kaberle's game.

At $2.2 million, Kaberle went into the season as the second-highest-paid defenseman on an aging blue line.

Corvo was acquired to be an offensive force on the blue line and the power-play quarterback, responsibilities Kaberle had two seasons ago. It's possible Corvo's arrival has taken that pressure off Kaberle.

"He's more relaxed, more composed moving the puck," defenseman Glen Wesley said. "That's his game. He's very patient. I think that's what makes him the player that he is. He's not the fastest guy, but he's very smart and he sees the ice really well."