Brisker pace could benefit both Hurricanes and Maple Leafs in matchup

The Carolina Hurricanes could benefit from a brisker pace after a bit of a slowdown.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sped up as well, so this could make for a good matchup when the teams meet Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C.

The Maple Leafs have won two games in a row and three of their last four. They won 4-1 on Tuesday at Florida.

"One of the fastest-pace games we've played all year," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said.

With 11 goals in the past two games, it's Toronto's most productive two-game stretch of the season.

The Hurricanes, who've been off since Sunday's 1-0 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames, will play three games in a four-day stretch.

Even though the Hurricanes were scoreless through regulation in their last game, they were able to collect two points while seeing what opponents might try to do to slow them down.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour stated that was a valuable, yet frustrating, experience. He said he expects Carolina can handle those situations better in the future.

"We were trying to do things that just didn't work," Brind'Amour said. "It wasn't like we were really giving up a ton."

Carolina forward Taylor Hall said the team's latest shutout came despite unusual developments.

"They forced us into making mistakes. They forced us into forcing plays," Hall said. "For a lot of the night, we didn't play the way we're accustomed to. I don't know how many breakaways or two-on-ones they had, but it was a lot. There are definitely some things to clean up."

Even though the combination of Nikolaj Ehlers and Hall produced the winning goal in the Calgary game, don't expect to see them on the ice together often. But an occasional situation might warrant the left wingers together for a shift.

"We're looking for those opportunities, three-on-three, four-on-four," Brind'Amour said. "Got them out there and they helped us out."

Toronto could be showing some different combinations. The Maple Leafs can't afford to stick with units that aren't working, thus Berube said he'll have a quick trigger on mixing up units. That was the case with the power play earlier this week.

"I switched it up," he said.

Toronto goals leader John Tavares scored Tuesday to snap a personal four-game stretch without a goal.

The Hurricanes received a boost at the end of the weekend with the return of captain Jordan Staal, who had missed three games.

"We know what he brings, the face-offs, taking the stress off some of our other guys," Brind'Amour said. "He's so important to our group."

Brind'Amour, whose team has four games remaining as part of a seven-game homestand, should have options when it comes to selecting a goalie for Thursday night's game. Rookie Brandon Bussi has played in two straight games, improving his record to 7-1-0. Frederik Andersen should be well-rested. Pyotr Kochetkov has returned to practice since dealing with discomfort, so he could be available as well.

The Hurricanes had veteran defenseman Jaccob Slavin on the ice for noncontact work this week. Brind'Amour said Slavin doesn't remain close to returning to game action, pretty much dismissing that possibility for this week.

Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi could be closer to returning, Brind'Amour said. He has been out for almost three weeks.

--Field Level Media