Lightning 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT): Defenseman Radko Gudas scored 2:16 into overtime as Tampa Bay rallied to beat visiting Carolina for its fourth consecutive victory.

After making a big hit on Carolina’s Jeff Skinner, Gudas carried the puck down the right wing on a 2-on-1 rush before hammering a shot into the right corner of the net. Blue-liner Victor Hedman had a goal and an assist, captain Martin St. Louis scored his 15th of the season and Ben Bishop stopped 25 shots for the Lightning.

Jiri Tlusty, who had gone seven games without a point, scored twice as Carolina lost for the fifth time in six games (1-2-3). Justin Peters made 47 saves, one shy of his career high.

Tlusty gave the Hurricanes a lead 4:35 into the contest, whipping a shot from the high slot through a crowd and past Bishop on the glove side. The Lightning had a 19-8 advantage in shots in the opening session and tied it when Hedman roofed a shot from the bottom of the left faceoff circle after receiving a pass from Valtteri Filppula at 16:12.

Tampa Bay registered 13 more shots in the second period but was stymied by Peters, while Carolina captain Eric Staal sprung Tlusty for a short-handed tally at 10:11. Peters valiantly held the lead until St. Louis tipped in Hedman’s blast at 7:56 of the third during the Lightning’s fifth power-play chance.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Carolina now leads the league in short-handed goals with seven thanks to Tlusty, who netted the first of his career. … Tampa Bay C Tom Pyatt returned to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 8 after missing 32 games with a shoulder injury. … Lightning D Eric Brewer left the game with an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return.