Maple Leafs build big lead, finish off Hurricanes

The Toronto Maple Leafs scored early and often and held on to defeat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Saturday night.

Pontus Holmberg had two goals and an assist, and Alex Steeves and John Tavares each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won four of their past five games. David Kampf and Auston Matthews also scored, William Nylander added two assists and Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves.

Carolina scored three straight goals to cut the lead to 4-3 before Toronto scored two empty-net goals.

Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and an assist and Jaccob Slavin also scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost four of five. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 17 shots.

The Maple Leafs took a 4-0 lead in the first period against the sluggish Hurricanes as the teams returned from the break for the 4 Nations Face-off.

Steeves notched his first career NHL goal with a quick shot from the right circle at 2:50 on a pass from Tavares.

Holmberg was credited for the second goal at 3:29 when Carolina's Jordan Staal knocked the puck into his own goal during a goalmouth scramble.

Kampf scored from the slot at 6:39 on a deft pass from Steven Lorentz.

Tavares scored from the slot at 15:06 after Nylander faked a shot from the right circle before feathering a pass.

Carolina played with more urgency in the second period. There were few clear scoring chances for either team until Toronto's Mitchell Marner was foiled on a short-handed breakaway at 16:13.

Gostisbehere rushed to the net to knock in a pass from Sebastian Aho at 12:25 of the third period.

Kochetkov was removed for an extra attacker with six minutes remaining.

Svechnikov scored when his shot from the right circle deflected off a Toronto player at 14:46 of the third.

Slavin pounced on a loose puck after a weird bounce to score at 15:06.

Matthews (18:37) and Holmberg (19:40) finished the scoring.

Carolina won the previous meeting between the teams 6-3 on Jan. 9.

--Field Level Media