Maple Leafs bounce back in big way
McElhinney records first SO since 2014, while Matthews adds another highlight to reel
RALEIGH, N.C. — Nazem Kadri summed up the reality for the Maple Leafs late Sunday afternoon, a couple of hours before the club met the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
“We have to be desperate for these two points,” Kadri said. “This is as much of a must win as it can be for us.”
Stellar goaltending provided by Curtis McElhinney, another eye-popping goal by Auston Matthews and a pair from Connor Brown ensured the Leafs backed up Kadri’s words, beating a listless Hurricanes team 4-0.
The Leafs won for the fourth time in nine games and improved to 5-8-1 in the second game of back-to-back sets.
Importantly, the Leafs have 65 points, moving them into third place in the Atlantic Division prior to the Boston Bruins’ game in San Jose. At worst, the Leafs would be in the second wild-card spot at the conclusion of Sunday’s games.
McElhinney improved to 3-3-0 as a Leaf since Toronto claimed him off waivers from Columbus and recorded his first shutout (and fifth of his career) since Jan. 2, 2014, when he blanked the Coyotes while playing for Columbus.
In total, McElhinney made 37 saves. The Leafs had 31 shots on Carolina goalies Cam Ward and Eddie Lack, who came in after the fourth Toronto goal.
A sparse crowd saw the Leafs, playing for the second consecutive game without Mitch Marner (shoulder), improve to 13-10-7 on the road.
“To me, just be mentally strong and play right,” coach Mike Babcock before the game, referring to the Leafs’ woes in the latter half of back-to-backs.
“We don’t have to entertain anybody here tonight, we just have to play well without the puck. Dig in mentally. You have lots of energy, there is no problem, just get out there and play.”
Announced attendance was 10,004, but there were empty rows upon empty rows throughout the building. Matthews scored a highlight-reel goal in the second period, giving the Leafs a 2-0 lead at 9:53. After taking a pass from Jake Gardiner, Matthews burst toward the net and as he was being tripped by Phillip Di Giuseppe, managed to deke to his backhand and slipped the puck between the legs of Ward.
It was vintage Matthews, never mind the 19-year-old was playing in his 58th NHL game. The goal was Matthews’ 28th of the season, putting him six back of Wendel Clark’s franchise rookie record of 34.