The Maple Leafs have been close to the top of the Atlantic standings at points this season, but they have gone into an utter costless fall in recent weeks and continued to slide with an embarrassing home loss to the lowly Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night.
Despite outshooting the Hurricanes, 35-32, Toronto couldn’t get any shots past Carolina's goalie Anton Khudobin, who racked up 34 saves with a save percentage over 97 percent. Toronto also generated 14 takeaways to Carolina’s eight, but they were beaten badly in face-offs, as Carolina won 44 of 69.
In the first, Brad Malone and Elias Lindholm scored goals 41 seconds apart to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead after under eight minutes. Then Malone got into a fight with David Clarkson less than a minute later, both received five minute majors.
Eric Staal scored less than a minute into the second period, scoring his 14th goal of the year 48 seconds in. He was assisted by Jordan Staal and Jiri Tlusty.
In the third period, there was another fight. Eric Staal got into it with Dion Phaneuf just over six minutes in. Finally the Leafs showed some signs of life as Nazem Kadri got them on the board with a goal with just over five minutes left. But any hopes of a comeback were squashed when Eric Staal scored his second goal of the game on an empty net with 94 seconds remaining. After the goal, Cody Franson was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
Jonathan Bernier took the loss for Toronto, allowing three goals. James Reimer stepped in and stopped all 18 shots he faced, coming in after Carolina scored their third goal.