RALEIGH, N.C. — Even as the streak grew longer, Jackson Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes did not dwell on it, much less fret about it.

He’s a rookie in the NHL. His team is winning, headed to the Stanley Cup playoffs again. His teammates respect him. He has the faith and trust of his head coach, Rod Brind’Amour.

The fact that Blake had not scored in 22 straight games before Friday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens was a bit surprising in that the 21-year-old forward has been a consistent goal scorer at each level and has five game-winning goals with the Canes this season.

But the scoring chances had continued to come, and Blake believed the goals would, too.

The streak ended quickly in the Canes’ 4-1 victory over the Canadiens, the puck striking Blake’s right skate in front of the crease and getting past Habs goalie Sam Montembeault on what would be his first NHL three-point night.

“That’s the best bounce you’re ever going to get,” said Blake, who was named the game’s first star. “It felt really good. I thought I was playing the right way, for the most part, the past 20 or so games so it feels good to get rewarded a little bit.”

Blake’s 12th of the season tied the score 1-1 just 41 seconds into the game — Montreal’s Josh Anderson scored at 23 seconds of the first. He then assisted on Taylor Hall’s power-play goal in the second period, and later on a rush that ended with Sebastian Aho scoring off a Seth Jarvis pass for a 3-1 lead.

Hall, playing his 900th career game, scored his fourth power-play goal in the past six games. Goalie Frederik Andersen did not face a lot of shots (15) but made some good stops — denying Alex Newhook on a third-period breakaway — and got a nice save from Aho, who knocked the puck away from the goal line in the third.

Also of note: Canes defenseman Brent Burns played his 915th consecutive game, the fourth-longest “ironman” streak in NHL history, and forward Andrei Svechnikov was back in the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury and scored a late empty-net goal.

Blake, called an “impact player on every shift” by Hall, did not hesitate Thursday when asked about his goal drought after the team practice.

“Obviously, it’s been a struggle in that department,” Blake said. “I’ve never been through this in my life, going 20 games, but you’re also playing every other day. I’m sure in college I went a month without scoring, which kind of feels the same even though it might be eight games.

“But it’s not a lack of effort. I feel like I’m getting the chances. I’ve just got to give a little extra every shift.”

Blake’s last goal came Jan. 23 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had put 14 shots on goal in the three games before Friday, and has been playing on a line with Aho and Jarvis, setting up some goals and picking up assists but not finding the net.

“He’s a rookie and he’s learning and he has been good for us,” Aho said.

Brind’Amour said he had not mentioned the goal drought to Blake or offered any advice about handling it.

“I don’t bring it up,” Brind’Amour said. “Goals will come at the weirdest times. Sometimes you’ll get one you don’t deserve. He deserves a bunch.”

Blake had a team-high five shots Tuesday in the Canes’ 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, and it was his hustle and effort that prompted Brind’Amour to say, “He might have been the best player on the ice.”

The Aho line combined for 12 shots on goal and 23 total attempts. As Aho put it, “That’s been the case now for a while with our line. As a top line, we have to produce.”

The Aho line responded Friday with two goals and four assists. It was Aho’s one-man forecheck in the second period that resulted in a turnover by the Habs and then a tripping penalty that led to Hall’s power-play goal and 2-1 lead.

Blake, who played his college hockey at North Dakota and had 102 points in 79 games, said he reviews each of his shifts after each game. At times, he consults with his father, former NHL forward Jason Blake, to get another unvarnished view.

“Video doesn’t lie, right?” Jackson Blake said. “So there’s always stuff I can work on, and it’s always good to see the good stuff, too.”

While hockey is a game of speed and quick decisions, and Blake recognizes that, he likes to slow down the video and see potential openings and shooting lanes and how he can be better. But he doesn’t try to over-analyze.

“You can perfect it on video, but when you get out there there’s no perfection, right?” he said. “I think for me I don’t ever overthink it. I just look at the things I can work on.”

While a slight guy at 5-foot-11 and 178 pounds, Blake uses his ability to navigate tight spots on the ice and has a quick release on his shot. A recent injury has hampered him a bit, but his elusiveness and fearlessness around the net make him dangerous enough.

“That comes from my dad telling me not to be afraid,” he said. “I think when I was growing up I was always the smaller guy, so that kind of helps now, being a smaller guy and being hit and always getting right back up.

“You can’t be afraid of those bigger guys going to those corners. I watch (Jarvis) and what he does and try to implement that into my game a little bit.”

Blake has taken a few big hits along the way. He recalls being smacked by 6-6, 248-pound defenseman Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins.

“I cut across the middle,” Blake said. “There was only three minutes left and we were up by 7-1 or something and I crossed across the middle and he got me hard.

“I’ve definitely got to be aware, and my shiftiness helps me sometimes. When they get me, it doesn’t feel very good.”

Neither does going more than 20 games without a goal. But no worries, he said.

“It’s coming,” he said.

Friday, it did.

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