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.

Talks are beginning to heat up between defenseman Ivan Provorov and the Columbus Blue Jackets on a long-term extension as per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent is highly interested in signing an extension with Columbus.

This is a team coming out of its rebuild and into its build phase. It has the potential to contend as it matures and as the roster is further tweaked.

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.

Frederik Andersen earned a win in his first home start since opening night, and Seth Jarvis had four points for Carolina in the Hurricanes’ home win over Columbus.

Evason knew he was taking on a challenge, but he expected to have Monahan playing with forward Johnny Gaudreau, his close friend and former Calgary Flames teammate. He expected to have captain Boone Jenner and defenseman Erik Gudbranson to lead a group of skilled young players.

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What a night to be a hockey fan of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Going into the game on Thursday night (Jan. 23), the Blue Jackets will finish the month of January playing six of their seven games on the road.

The Blue Jackets are still 10-3-2 in their last 15, so it’s fair to say this is a matchup of two of the hotter teams in the NHL, placing fourth (Columbus) and tied for seventh (Toronto) in the NHL in points since Dec. 19.

There were times that the Carolina Hurricanes seemed a little out of kilter during the past month, but they might be hitting their stride again.