The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the road Tuesday and stopped in Raleigh to pay a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Notably, William Nylander picked up two assists for his first points of the season, three games signing a new contract in a 4-1 win for the Leafs.
“It gets you feeling good, and playing well and creating chances is important,” the forward said. “I can build off of it. I’m just trying to get back as fast as possible. Every game is getting better and better.”
William Nylander had two points in win over Canes – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
Frederik Andersen helped stop a two-game slide by the Leafs in making 29 saves for the win.
“We knew their game plan a little bit,” Andersen said. “They want to throw everything at the net, and we came ready to block some shots and be in the lanes for that.”
Justin Williams scored the only goal for the Canes.
“We said it before the game, that we were playing one of the best offensive teams in the League and we needed everyone on board tonight,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They didn’t have to play great, but everyone needed a good game, and I don’t think we got that.”
Tyler Ennis opened the scoring in the fist period for the Maple Leafs and Morgan Rielly added a goal in the middle frame to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Patrick Marleau and John Tavares struck in the third period.
“[Nylander] is a great player. There was never a doubt when he came in he was going to be ready. He’s in good shape and he’s very talented. It’s just a matter of time. I’m sure he’s going to build off it from here,” Rielly said after the win.
The Canes dropped to 13-12-4.
“We’re not committed enough to doing it every single time we’re out there,” Williams said. “That was a tough one because we were right there.”
[WATCH: All Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes game highlights]
Petr Mrazek made 25 saves in the loss.
“We had that game 1-1 and we were hanging in there, but we lost some battles on the walls and the second goal deflated us. The third one broke our backs. The bench just felt like that was it, and it was,” Brind’Amour said after the home loss.
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