Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to beating Maple Leafs

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)
4 of 4
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 04: Head coach Rod Brind’Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period of their game against the Detroit Red Wings at PNC Arena on March 04, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 04: Head coach Rod Brind’Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period of their game against the Detroit Red Wings at PNC Arena on March 04, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Rod’s coaching

Carolina will be at home for only the second time this season and they will have the last chance. This is where coaches make their money. Getting the match-ups that the Canes view as favorable is going to be half the game. Carolina’s lineup is strong enough to beat Toronto, but the team needs to be deployed in the right fashion.

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’amour has been putting the lines through the blender recently and trying to get the best combinations for each opposing line is where Rod is going to be challenged. His team has the talent to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. They did it with a Zamboni driver last time they played. It’s no secret the Canes are the more talented team.

With the Carolina Hurricanes having superior talent, it’s going to be important for the team to have some great coaching. This is the kind of game that Rod has struggled with in the past. He needs to make sure he gets the big decisions right. It’s going to be a tight affair if the Canes cannot master their changes. With that in mind, we have come to the end of our keys to the game!

Carolina plays Toronto tonight in a game that could be vital when we get to the end of the season. With the Hurricanes needing two points, we know that this game should be very entertaining. Talent and hard work against the team from the Mecca of hockey. We will see a lot of action tonight, with Tripp Tracy and Mike Maniscalco, but as for now… LET’S GO CANES!

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: What will the final score be?

Schedule