Carolina Hurricanes Beat Maple Leafs 5-4 in Thriller

The Carolina Hurricanes continued their winning momentum with an exciting 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night. Logan Stankoven led the charge, scoring the go-ahead goal in the third period and contributing an assist to seal the win for the visiting side at Scotiabank Arena.

Alongside Stankoven’s strong performance, the Hurricanes saw goals from Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Sean Walker, and Taylor Hall. The team’s offensive depth was on full display as six different players registered points. K’Andre Miller and Nikolaj Ehlers added two assists each, while goaltender Brandon Bussi made 16 saves to help Carolina secure their fourth straight victory.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, William Nylander stood out with two goals, while John Tavares and Auston Matthews added a goal and an assist each. Rookie Matthew Knies contributed two assists, but despite a strong offensive start, Toronto couldn’t hold off the Hurricanes’ relentless pressure. Goaltender Dennis Hildeby made an impressive 42 saves — a career high — but it wasn’t enough to prevent the defeat.

The first period was filled with energy and goals. Toronto opened the scoring just five minutes into the game when Morgan Rielly sent a long pass to Knies, who set up Nylander for a slick backhand finish. Carolina quickly responded when Sebastian Aho scored a power-play equalizer from the right circle at 8:34.

Seth Jarvis then gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the game with a precise shot at 14:31. However, Toronto bounced back. Captain John Tavares scored from a close-range pass at 15:31 to tie the score. Then, Nylander added his second of the night with a powerful slap shot on the power play at 19:01, giving Toronto a 3-2 lead at the end of an eventful first period.

The Hurricanes faced an early setback when rookie defenseman Charles-Alexis Legault suffered a hand injury after colliding with Toronto’s Nicholas Robertson near the end of the first period. He left the game and did not return, slightly dampening the team’s early momentum.

In the second period, Toronto appeared to take control when Jake McCabe’s pass set up Auston Matthews for a goal at 11:03, extending their lead to 4-2. However, the Hurricanes refused to back down. Sean Walker, who had earlier hit the post on a breakaway, scored from the blue line through traffic at 16:51, cutting Toronto’s lead to one goal before the end of the period.

Carolina entered the third period determined to turn the game around. Taylor Hall equalized at 3:20 when he reacted quickly to a loose puck in front of the Toronto net. The Hurricanes continued to press, dominating possession and creating multiple scoring chances.

Logan Stankoven then delivered the decisive moment at the 12:13 mark. Following a Toronto turnover, Carolina broke away on a 4-on-3 rush, and Stankoven fired a wrist shot past Hildeby to give the Hurricanes a 5-4 lead — one they would not relinquish.

The Hurricanes completely controlled the final 20 minutes, outshooting Toronto 22-2 in the third period. Overall, Carolina had a massive 47-20 advantage in shots on goal, showcasing their offensive power and resilience. Despite Toronto’s late efforts, Carolina’s defense held strong to secure the victory.

This win marked Carolina’s fourth consecutive triumph, underlining their strong form early in the season. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour praised his team’s determination, especially their ability to recover after trailing twice in the match.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ second straight loss highlighted their defensive inconsistencies. Despite strong offensive performances from Nylander and Matthews, the team struggled to maintain their early intensity against a disciplined Hurricanes side.