Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes Match Player Stats On Mar 20, 2021

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in regulation and netted the winner in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the host Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Hurricanes suffered their third straight loss and had their streak of 10 straight shootout victories snapped, the third-longest in NHL history.

Seth Jones also scored for the Blue Jackets, who extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2). Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins made 35 saves and stopped three of four shootout attempts.

Warren Foegele and Andrei Svechnikov scored in regulation for the Hurricanes. James Reimer stopped 29 of 31 shots.

Carolina's Dougie Hamilton scored in the first round of the shootout, but the Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine tied it with the final shot in the third round to send it to extra frames.

Hamilton appeared to win the game for the Hurricanes with a power-play goal with 2:46 remaining in overtime, but a video review determined the play was offside.

The Blue Jackets tied the score with their net empty and 28.4 seconds left in regulation. Jones, who scored twice in a 3-2 win Thursday night in the series opener between the teams, tallied on a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle, beating Reimer high to the stick side.

The Hurricanes held a 1-0 lead going into the third on Svechnikov's goal at 14:29 of the second as he tipped a rebound out of midair and past Merzlikins.

The Blue Jackets tied it just 39 seconds into the third. There was a battle for the puck along the left-wing boards and it squirted free and straight to Bjorkstrand, who drove to the net. Reimer stopped the shot but the rebound bounced off Hamilton's skate and into the net.

Foegele gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead at 15:47 of the third, tapping in the rebound of Hamilton's rebound from the point.

The teams will travel to Columbus for games Monday and Thursday.

--Field Level Media