Surging Hurricanes set franchise points streak record

It's been a long time since the Carolina Hurricanes lost in regulation.

Once 11 points back of the second wild-card seed in the East, the Canes have put together a 9-0-4 run since March 9, setting a new franchise point streak record, and storming into the playoff picture to the surprise of just about everybody.

Carolina's latest victory was a crucial overtime win Thursday over the Columbus Blue Jackets, maintaining the gap between them and the Boston Bruins - who beat Dallas 2-0 - at four points with a game in hand.

Over the Hurricanes' torrid 13-game stretch, they lead the NHL in points earned (22), goals for (46), and have operated the seventh most effective powerplay (25.8 percent).

Leading the charge in race up the standings is Jeff Skinner, who bagged two points in Thursday's win, giving him 15 in his last 13 contests. It hasn't just been Skinner, though, as Sebastian Aho (12), Elias Lindholm (12), Jordan Staal (10), and Justin Faulk (nine) have stepped up to show Carolina's core is in fact quite dangerous.

Carolina's next test comes Saturday versus a struggling Stars team, before embarking on a two-game road trip through Pittsburgh and Minnesota.