In Columbus, Cam Atkinson scored in overtime to complete a rally for the Blue Jackets as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3.
The Canes had taken a 3-1 lead in the first period after the Jackets had struck early for a 1-0 lead on a goal from Alexandre Texier.
“I was going as fast as I can to the back post. I think he (Pierre-Luc Dubois)saw me,” Atkinson said . “I think I was calling for it, but I think I blacked out at the same time, but it was a [heck] of a play, a [heck] of pass.”
Dubois set up the winner on feed to Atkinson.
Joonas Korpisalo made 21 saves in the win and settled down after a rocky first period.
“We’re in every game. We’re getting points every game. Whether we get one or two, these points are crucial come April,” Atkinson said.
Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Dzingel and Sebastian Aho all scored in the opening frame, but that was all the offense the Canes had for the night.
“Tonight we certainly didn’t look like the team we’re trying to be,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “That’s a little bit worrisome.”
Carolina is 1-4-0 in their last five.
“We came out, we played hard at the start, and we just fell right off in the second [period] for whatever reason,” Brind’Amour said after Carolina was outshot 15-3 in the period. “Give them credit, they played a real strong second period. We were just not sharp. We kind of battled back in the third, made it look like a game. Certainly not good enough.”
Ryan Murray and Sonny Milano also scored for the Blue Jackets.
“It was another opportunity presented to us as far as not blowing up starting that second period,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “We need to stay patient, not try to score. We just need to stay above the puck. It’s such a fast team over there.
“So we kept our patience, played above the puck and probably played, out of all the minutes we’ve put in this year, probably the fastest we’ve played as far as our transition.”
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets highlights]
Petr Mrazek made 27 saves in the loss.
“We had a great first period,” Dzingel said. “We were buzzing, playing our kind of hockey, and in the second period we were on heels and that’s what killed us.”
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