Captain Zdeno Chara recorded his first career hat trick and Tim Thomas made 31 saves, leading the Boston Bruins to a 7-0 home triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday in the opener of a home-and-home series.

Patrice Bergeron notched a goal and an assist while defenseman Mark Stuart, Gregory Campbell and Michael Ryder also tallied for the Bruins, who improved to 8-3-1 in their last 12 at TD Garden.

Stuart began the onslaught at 7:56 of the first period with a one-timer from the left point that beat a screened Cam Ward. Chara scored twice in a span of 4 1/2 minutes to make it 3-0, converting a 2-on-1 rush from the left faceoff circle and cashing in on a 5-on-3 advantage with a one-timer from the top of the right circle.

Chara's first tally chased Ward, who stopped just three shots before being replaced by Justin Peters. With 5:56 remaining in the third, Chara completed his milestone performance by blasting a shot from the blue line past Peters during a power play.

Thomas turned aside 12 shots in the first period, 11 in the second and eight in the third en route to his 24th career shutout and league-leading seventh this season.

Peters made 28 saves for the Hurricanes, who were blanked for the first time since Oct. 30 and look to rebound when they host the Bruins at the RBC Center on Tuesday.