The Hurricanes will face the Leafs for the first time this season.
What - Game 42 (24-15-2)
When - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9
Where - Lenovo Center; Raleigh, NC
How to Watch - ESPN+, hulu
The Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-13-2) tonight in the first set of yet another back-to-back.
This will be the first time this season that the Canes and Leafs have faced off.
Carolina is coming off of a tough 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in which they surrendered the go-ahead goal with less than a minute to go in regulation.
The Hurricanes didn't play poorly by any means, but they once again just needed a little more from those top guys that have been so hit and miss this year.
The Maple Leafs are winners of five in a row coming into Raleigh and they currently sit atop the Atlantic Division.
While captain Auston Matthews has missed a good chunk of time due to an undisclosed injury, the team has really come together under new coach Craig Berube, especially in goal.
Toronto poses a big challenge for Carolina, as they seemingly do every year.
Streaks
- Andrei Svechnikov (1g, 1a) and Jordan Staal (1g, 2a) have points in back-to-back games.
Milestone Watch
- Brent Burns is one game shy of sole possession for the sixth longest iron man streak in NHL history.
- Brent Burns is also five points shy of 900 career points.
- Jack Roslovic is three goals shy of 100 career goals.
Game Notes
- Carolina is 71-45-11-6 all-time against Toronto and swept the season series last year 3-0-0.
- The Maple Leafs have a few former Hurricanes on their roster including Max Domi, Jani Hakanpaa, Max Pacioretty and Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz.
- Jordan Staal has 34 points in 49 career games against the Maple Leafs
Key Matchups
Starting Goalies
- Pyotr Kochetkov: 15-9-1; 0.902 Sv%; 2.50 GAA
- Joseph Wall: 14-6-0; 0.915 Sv%; 2.46 GAA
Leading Scorers
- Goals - Jack Roslovic (17) / William Nylander (23)
- Points - Martin Necas (47) / Mitch Marner (58)
Power Play
- Carolina - 23.4% (12th)
- Toronto - 20.7% (18th)
Penalty Kill
- Carolina - 84.9% (1st)
- Toronto - 83.2% (7th)
Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Jack Roslovic - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
Eric Robinson - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Martin Necas
Andrei Svechnikov - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook
Juha Jaaska - Jack Drury - Jackson Blake
Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burn
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Ty Smith - Sean Walker
Pyotr Kochetkov
Dustin Tokarski
Injuries and Scratches: William Carrier (LBI), Shayne Gostisbehere (UBI), Tyson Jost (LBI), Frederik Andersen (LBI), Jesper Fast (neck)
Maple Leafs Projected Lineup
Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann - John Tavares - William Nylander
Max Pacioretty - Max Domi - Steven Lorentz
Connor Dewar - David Kampf - Ryan Reaves
Morgan Rielly - Philippe Myers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit - Conor Timmins
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
Injuries and Scratches: Nikita Grebenkin, Nicolas Robertson, Anthony Stolarz (knee), Calle Jarnkrok (groin), Pontus Holmberg (illness), Jake McCabe (UBI), Jani Hakanpaa (knee)