Saad's 1st career hat trick helps Columbus beat Carolina 5-1

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Brandon Saad scored three goals for his first career hat trick, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 on Saturday night.

Boone Jenner and Oliver Bjorkstrand also scored, and Alexander Wennberg and David Savard had two assists apiece.

The last-place Blue Jackets scored three goals in the second period and snapped a four-game losing streak.

Jeff Skinner scored and Eddie Lack made 22 saves for the Hurricanes, who were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. They had kept their long-shot postseason bid alive by earning points in 12 of their previous 14 games.

Joonas Korpisalo stopped 26 shots to help the Blue Jackets avoid a season sweep.