The NHL is going to have some tight races when it comes to the end-of-season awards, and the Columbus Blue Jackets might have a surprise entrant for a key one.

Werenski notched an assist, three blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Zach Werenski was slightly annoyed. The Columbus Blue Jackets were in a tailspin and on the way to another playoff-less spring.

The Blue Jackets ran out of gas — physically, emotionally or both — in the second period on Thursday, allowing the Hurricanes to score five consecutive goals on their way to a 7-4 win before 18,700. Carolina teed up 24 shots on goal in the second, the most the Blue Jackets have allowed in a period all season.

This wasn't the best of games by the Blue Jackets, but they fought back and defeated the Philadelphia Flyer 3-2 in a shootout.

Columbus Blue Jackets alternate captain Zach Werenski is leading the NHL in goals among defensemen this season.

Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1.

Slings helper Wednesday

Columbus took a 1-0 lead at 7:08 of the first period. After the Blue Jackets forced a turnover, Luca Del Bel Belluz fed a pass to Johnson, who scored five-hole from the left face-off circle. Kirill Marchenko made it 2-0 at 9:48 when he took a cross-ice backhand pass from Adam Fantilli and roofed a shot over Andersen’s glove.

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets (53 pts) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (61 pts) Game Preview. Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Before game time. Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantilli

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes scored five straight goals in the second period, and Frederik Andersen made 18 saves for his 300th NHL win, 7-4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Lenovo Center on Thursday.

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