RALEIGH, N.C. - Tim Stapleton scored 1:38 into overtime to give the Atlanta Thrashers a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Rob Schremp and Tobias Enstrom scored first-period goals and Ondrej Pavelec made 35 saves to help the Thrashers snap their road losing streak at six.

Erik Cole and Troy Bodie scored for Carolina. The Hurricanes earned a point for getting to overtime to move into a tie with Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta is five points behind the Hurricanes and Sabres.

Cam Ward made 26 saves for Carolina. The Hurricanes had won the previous four games between the two teams this season.

After Cole tied it at 2 on a breakaway with 7:39 remaining, Stapleton scored on a 2-on-1 rush in overtime, converting a nice pass from Ron Hainsey. Stapleton deflected Hainsey's pass past Ward's left pad.

The Thrashers jumped on the Hurricanes early.

After Blake Wheeler nearly scored from the side of the net on the power play, Schremp snapped a shot past Ward's glove, giving the Thrashers a 1-0 lead 3:22 into the game.

Enstrom then one-timed a shot from the slot, giving Atlanta a 2-0 edge later in the period. Carolina cut it to 2-1 midway through the second period.

The puck got caught in Enstrom's skates after wrist shot from point by Carolina's Bryan Allen. Bodie controlled the puck in the slot and snapped it past Pavelec's glove.

It was Bodie's first goal with the Hurricanes.

Carolina's Cory Stillman hit the crossbar after nice pass from Cole on a 3-on-2 rush shortly thereafter.

Atlanta star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien missed the game because of a lower-body injury sustained in practice Monday.

NOTES: Joni Pitkanen played in his 200th game for the Hurricanes. ... Atlanta is 6-13-5 in its last 24 games. ... Allen recorded his first point for the Hurricanes since being acquired from Florida on Feb. 28.