Leafs Start Post-Break Stretch with 6-3 Win Over Hurricanes
Dark Roast Recap
Leafs Start Post-Break Stretch with 6-3 Win Over Hurricanes
The Toronto Maple Leafs returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break in dominant fashion, securing a 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in what was an encouraging offensive display.
From the opening faceoff, the Leafs came out flying, winning key puck battles and spending extended time in the Carolina zone. By the end of the first period, eight of their 12 forwards had registered a shot on goal, while all but two had at least one attempt.
Though Carolina pushed back in the second and third periods, Anthony Stolarz stood tall in his first game since the break, keeping the Leafs in control despite some late-game drama.
Ultimately, Toronto took advantage of a flat Hurricanes start, capitalized on their opportunities, and held on when they needed to.
Strong Start, Late Push from Carolina
The Leafs controlled the early pace, forcing Carolina to chase the game after an explosive first period. They outshot and outworked the Hurricanes, leading to a 4-0 advantage before Carolina started mounting a response.
Carolina’s late-game pressure made things interesting, as they threw everything they could at Stolarz in the third period. While some of their best chances missed the net, the ones that hit home gave the Leafs a reminder of how valuable consistent goaltending has been this season.
Even though the Hurricanes made it close in the final minutes, Toronto locked things down just enough to secure two important points.
Key Takeaways
Anthony Stolarz Stands Tall
In his first start after the break, Anthony Stolarz showed no signs of rust. He was steady all night, particularly in the third period, where Carolina surged.
Two of the Hurricanes’ three goals came on unlucky deflections, but Stolarz’s poise under pressure ensured Toronto didn’t surrender their lead. He’s proving to be a crucial part of the Leafs’ goaltending tandem, and his ability to make timely saves was on full display once again.
Holmberg Shines with Two-Goal Night
Pontus Holmberg had a breakout performance, scoring two goals and adding an assist. While there was an element of luck involved—his first goal came off a deflection from Jordan Staal’s stick—Holmberg’s willingness to go to the dirty areas and create pressure paid off.
His presence on the Tavares-Nylander line was noticeable, as he forced turnovers and made smart defensive plays.
John Tavares’ Understated Impact
Beyond scoring a goal himself, Tavares played a key role in creating offensive chances. His defensive read led to Alex Steeves’ first NHL goal, and his faceoff win set up Auston Matthews’ empty-net tally.
He remains one of the most reliable two-way players in the league, even when he isn’t dominating the scoresheet.
Steeves Makes an Impression
Alex Steeves finally broke through with his first NHL goal, marking a memorable return to the lineup. His physical play and compete level have always been there, but adding some offensive production makes him an intriguing piece for Toronto’s bottom six.
Paired with David Kämpf and Steven Lorentz, Steeves was part of a fourth line that was efficient in limited minutes, showing smart decision-making and defensive awareness even after long shifts.
Special Teams Contribute Again
Toronto’s power play continues to click, as they converted early opportunities to gain control of the game. The first-period dominance was fueled by their ability to capitalize with the man advantage, and even when Carolina pushed back, Toronto’s penalty kill held strong.
What’s Next?
The Leafs hit the road for a four-game trip, starting with a Sunday night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 PM ET.
With momentum on their side, Toronto will look to keep building on their post-break success as they push toward securing a top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Go Leafs Go!
The Maple Leaf Chronicle 
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