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Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to beating Maple Leafs

By Conor Power

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: Dave Ayres sounds the warning siren during the game between the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes at at PNC Arena on February 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ayres, in emergency relief, recorded eight saves, the win and first-star honors in his National Hockey League debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 22. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: Dave Ayres sounds the warning siren during the game between the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes at at PNC Arena on February 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ayres, in emergency relief, recorded eight saves, the win and first-star honors in his National Hockey League debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 22. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 21: Derek Stepan #18 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Centre Bell on October 21, 2021, in Montreal, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 21: Derek Stepan #18 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Centre Bell on October 21, 2021, in Montreal, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Strike from the depth

With the Toronto Maple Leafs, you always know what to expect. They have arguably the best one-two center punch in the entire world. Their top two right-wingers are up there with the best on any team in the world. They have the top-end talent to compete in any game. What they lack is the bottom-end production outside of a player who seems to have turned the clock back 15 years playing 10 minutes a night.

Carolina’s depth will need to be alert and working hard all night long to ensure the two points tonight. They will need to be the difference in this game, as we’re all expecting to see the third line put with the reigning Rocket Richard winner and four players with a cap hit that makes up almost 40% of the Toronto Maple Leafs space.

Depth pieces are going to be essential in this game. Whether it is the third pairing being able to provide some more resting time on the bench, or if it’s a big goal from the bottom line to win the game, the depth is going to have to be a big part of this game if the Carolina Hurricanes aspire to win this game.

It’s a difficult game, but there are no easy games in this league. Toronto promises to be formidable, and will certainly be one of the toughest teams that the Carolina Hurricanes have played to this point in the season, but they’re in a rut. They will be desperate for the 2 points tonight. With that, the Canes need to drive the knife through this opponent to ensure that they are victorious.

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