Bjorkstrand scores in SO, Blue Jackets rally past Carolina

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. &mdash; Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Bjorkstrand and Seth Jones scored third-period goals for the Blue Jackets, whose only lead in the game came on the last attempt in the shootout. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 35 shots for Columbus. </p>
<p>Andrei Svechnikov and Warren Foegele scored in regulation for the Hurricanes, who dropped their third straight game following an eight-game winning streak. Goalie James Reimer made 29 saves.</p>
<p>Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton began the shootout with a goal. With Columbus down to its last chance, Patrik Laine converted to extend.</p>
<p>The Hurricanes appeared to win in overtime on a Hamilton power-play tally with 2:46 remaining in the session. But that was wiped out on a review because of offsides.</p>
<p>Jones tied the game with 28.4 seconds left in regulation. He had two goals, including the overtime winner, when the teams met two nights earlier.</p>
<p>Foegele scored with 4:13 remaining in the third period to put Carolina back on top. Foegele dove between Merzlikins and Columbus defenseman David Savard and knocked the puck into the net.</p>
<p>Hamilton’s assist on the play pushed his points streak to 11 games, marking the longest active string in the NHL.</p>
<p>Svechnikov, who produced his first goal in seven games, opened the scoring with his first even-strength goal since Feb. 16.</p>
<p>The Blue Jackets pulled even 39 seconds into the second period. Bjorkstrand’s shot bounced around before going off Hamilton’s skate and into the net.</p>
<p>The Blue Jackets have played in five straight games that have gone beyond regulation.</p>
<p>THIS IS THE YEAR </p>
<p>Reimer’s record dipped to 12-4-1 this season. That includes a 2-0-1 mark against the Blue Jackets.</p>
<p>Until this year, Reimer was just 2-8-2 all-time vs. Columbus.</p>
<p>KEEPING UP WITH JONES</p>
<p>Jones has three of his four goals this season during a two-game stretch across three nights in Raleigh. </p>
<p>The defenseman hadn’t scored in any of his previous career 27 outings against the Hurricanes.</p>
<p>Jones was called for a high-sticking penalty in overtime that led to Carolina’s power play.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>The teams meet twice next week. Columbus heads for its only two home games during an eight-game stretch with matchups with the Hurricanes on Monday and Thursday nights.</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NHL">https://apnews.com/hub/NHL</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>