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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 takeaways from win over Maple Leafs

By Andrew Miller

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ron Hainsey (2) with a nifty backhand pass in front of Carolina Hurricanes right wing Sebastian Aho (20). Toronto Maple Leafs VS Carolina Panthers during 1st period action in NHL regular season play at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ron Hainsey (2) with a nifty backhand pass in front of Carolina Hurricanes right wing Sebastian Aho (20). Toronto Maple Leafs VS Carolina Panthers during 1st period action in NHL regular season play at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 7: Scott Darling #33 and Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their team’s opening night 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild following an NHL game on October 7, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 7: Scott Darling #33 and Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their team’s opening night 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild following an NHL game on October 7, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. Darling and Ward could be a great combination

Scott Darling had another good effort with 31 saves on 34 shots. Considering the Leafs were averaging more than four goals per game before face off, that’s a great number for him. He made some big saves at key times in the third period to keep the lead at one.

Cam Ward will get the start for the Canes in the second leg of the back-to-back, on Oct. 27 against the St. Louis Blues. It will be only Ward’s second start of the season. His first start came against the Edmonton Oilers, where he got a win with 48 saves on 51 shots.

If the Canes continue to get some solid goaltending, it should completely change their fortunes compared to recent seasons. Eddie Lack was a fan favorite in Raleigh, but he did not get it done as Ward’s backup.

Darling was brought over in the off-season to be the face of the franchise between the pipes. The lack of reliability on offense has made it very difficult for Darling to get used to the pace of things with the Canes. The potential was shown against the Leafs.

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