Maple Leafs at Hurricanes
Auston Matthews' absence from the lineup has not slowed down the Toronto Maple Leafs, who aim for their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs have won seven of their last eight contests - all without Matthews, who hasn't played since Oct. 27 because of a shoulder injury.
Toronto extended its winning streak to four games Monday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to post a 4-2 victory over Columbus. John Tavares forged a 2-2 tie late in the second period before setting up the first of two third-period goals by Zach Hyman, who had tallied once in his first 20 games this season. Carolina continues a six-game homestand on which it has gone 2-1-1 following a 2-1 triumph over New Jersey on Sunday. Micheal Ferland scored his third goal in four games to become the first member of the Hurricanes to reach double digits.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Carolinas
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (15-6-0): Tavares leads the team with 13 goals after recording five in his last six contests. The 28-year-old center has landed on the scoresheet in 10 of his last 12 games, collecting seven tallies and seven assists in that span. Mitch Marner, who set up a pair of scores against the Blue Jackets and tops the club with 28 points, is riding a five-game point streak during which he has registered one goal and eight assists.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (9-8-3): Ferland got his name in the franchise record book Sunday, scoring at the 30-second mark of the first period after captain Justin Williams tallied eight seconds earlier. They were the fastest two goals to open a game in franchise history and tied for the fifth-fastest in league annals. Williams' tally ended his 14-game drought and put him nine away from 300 for his career.
OVERTIME
1. Hurricanes C Sebastian Aho, who leads the team with 23 points, registered two goals and four assists during his four-game streak before being kept off the scoresheet Sunday.
2. Toronto D Morgan Rielly is three points shy of 200 for his career as he is riding a six-game streak during which he has collected three goals and five assists.
3. Carolina LW Teuvo Teravainen has recorded a goal and four assists over his last five contests.