NHL: Columbus 5, Carolina 1

Kristian Huselius’ two goals and one assist Saturday keyed the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Huselius’ 15th goal this season gave Columbus a 2-0 lead at 9:14 of the second period, and his16th (empty net) capped the scoring at 16:19 of the third.

Mike Commodore, R.J. Umberger (power play) and Manny Malhotra also scored goals. Rick Nash had three assists and Steve Mason stopped 26-of-27 shots in the Blue Jackets’ fourth win in a row.

They rose to 4-0 against Southeast Division foes this season.

Carolina averted a shutout when Dennis Seidenberg scored his third goal this season (unassisted) at 6:29 of the third period. Cam Ward, playing in his 200th NHL contest, was beaten four times on 19 shots in the Hurricanes’ second straight loss.

Carolina has not beaten Columbus since a 2-1 decision Dec. 15, 2005.