Cardiac Cane
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The Anatomy of a Moment: EBUG Comes to the Rescue as the Canes Embarrass Toronto

During a mid-February tilt in Toronto, the unthinkable happened, leading to one of the most amazing nights in NHL history.

By Ben Huffman

Dallas Stars v Carolina Hurricanes
Dallas Stars v Carolina Hurricanes / Grant Halverson/GettyImages
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Reimer's return is short-lived

Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save during warm up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save during warm up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

While it wasn't the first time that James Reimer was playing in Toronto, this start felt even more important after how rough his last trip was. Just over three minutes into the contest, Zach Hyman shoved Jaccob Slavin into Reimer. Hyman was assessed a penalty on the play as Reimer was slow to get back to his feet. The training staff came out to look at him, but it was clear something was off.

Reimer's injury meant that Petr Mrazek had to take over after having faced the Rangers the night before. Mrazek didn't show any signs of rust, though the Maple Leafs would break through late in the first period. Alexander Kerfoot popped the puck past a laid down Mrazek to get Toronto on the board with under 40 seconds left.

Building a lead in the second period

Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes forward Lucas Wallmark (71) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes forward Lucas Wallmark (71) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

After a sour ending to the first period, the Hurricanes took control in the second. Lucas Wallmark took advantage of some confusion in front of Frederik Andersen to pop a loose puck home, tying the game at one. A shade over four minutes later, Nino Niederreiter buried a one-timer from the slot with the Canes on the power play to take their first lead of the night. The trio of goals was completed a minute later as Warren Foegele put a rebound past Andersen at the top of the crease to make it 3-1.