Hurricanes face Jackets with little margin for error

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes are a game away from a historic stretch, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are trying to return to the brisk pace it set earlier in the season.

The teams meet Thursday night at PNC Arena, with vastly different objectives.

The Hurricanes are riding a 12-game points streak (8-0-4), matching the franchise record set 11 seasons ago during the team's run to the Stanley Cup.

"The only way to win this time of the year is to have everybody contribute, and that's what's happening," Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said. "Guys have to do their role, exceed their roles."

To reach an Eastern Conference playoff spot, the Hurricanes (34-27-14) must pass three more teams and make up four points. With seven games remaining, Carolina is four points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild card and has a game in hand.

"We're in the race here, but we don't want to look too far ahead," Carolina left winger Joakim Nordstrom said. "We want to keep our foot on the pedal."

With 23 points this month, Carolina already has the second-most productive month in franchise history. It is topped only by the January 2006 output of 26 points.

Columbus (49-19-7) has secured a playoff spot, but claiming the Metropolitan Division title remains a possibility. The Blue Jackets have 105 points and trail first-place Washington by five points.

Columbus has had troubles at the offensive end at times and that has drawn the attention of coach John Tortorella.

"Our top guys are struggling. We're just not consistent enough with our offense," Tortorella said. "The biggest concern for me is a lot of our top offensive guys just don't feel good with the puck."

If the Blue Jackets sputter on offense, Carolina could be a tough matchup considering the Hurricanes have allowed only one goal in three of their last four games.

However, the Blue Jackets are 9-0-1 in their last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Tortorella said he wants to have line combinations in good order as the regular season winds down. He said that will be important next month.

"I don't want to keep moving these things around," Tortorella said. "Our problem is sustaining some offense. ... We just have to keep managing it. I don't want to turn something into panic."

Columbus has used goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in the last two matchups with Carolina, with each team winning once. Bobrovsky holds an NHL-leading 41 victories this season and owns a personal 12-game points streak (10-0-2).

Carolina's goalie situation is probably clearer now with Eddie Lack recovering from Monday night's brief hospitalization for what was determined to be a neck strain. He was back to watch Tuesday night's game but is likely out of action for at least another few days.

In the meantime, goalie Cam Ward will try to improve his 25-20-11 record.

Columbus right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand has been out a week with an upper-body injury, though he is listed as day-to-day.

The Hurricanes have been particularly strong late in games. During a 10-game stretch, they have outscored opponents by a cumulative 15-4 in third periods.

The home team has won each of the first three Columbus-Carolina meetings this season.