Nylander’s defensive miscue, Woll shaky and more: 3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs lost 6-3 to Carolina Hurricanes

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost a tough 6-3 game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Thursday night. The Maple Leafs got off to a strong start, building a 2-0 lead early in the first. However, the Hurricanes scored three straight to take a 3-2 lead.

While the Leafs came back to tie the game, the Hurricanes scored three more unanswered goals to put the game away and take home the two points.

Nick Robertson, William Nylander and Auston Matthews scored for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, Jordan Staal registered a hat trick for the Hurricanes, with Eric Robinson, Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis (EN) getting the others.

Here’s a closer look at three reasons why Toronto lost to Carolina on Thursday night.

3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs lost 6-3 to Carolina Hurricanes

#3. Leafs allowed Hurricanes to control the play

The numbers show a relatively even game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the Hurricanes controlled the play throughout much of the game.

Except for the first 10 minutes in which the Leafs managed to build a two-goal lead, the Hurricanes dominated the game. Even in the final three minutes when the Leafs pulled to goalie, the Hurricanes took control of the puck and promptly scored an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Overall, the Leafs looked slow and outplayed at times, with Jordan Staal being the victimizer on Thursday night.

#2. Nylander's defensive miscue

The Toronto Maple Leafs had an uncharacteristically poor defensive play. The worst example of the Leafs’ poor defensive play came on the Jordan Staal shorthanded goal.

With the score tied at two, the Leafs were on the power play. As the Canes regained puck possession in their own zone, they transitioned back into the Toronto zone. At the blue line, Staal stripped William Nylander, dishing the puck to Jordan Martinook, who fired the pass back to Staal for the goal.

Nylander’s miscue led to the go-ahead goal for the Hurricanes, zapping all the moment away from the Leafs. While Auston Matthews would tie the game later, the Leafs were unable to stop the Canes.

#1. Joseph Woll shaky

Joseph Woll has been reliable for the Toronto Maple Leafs all season long. However, he looked shaky on Thursday night, giving up five goals on 32 shots.

While Woll did his best to keep the Leafs in the game, he was unable to make the big saves when needed most. Staal’s hat trick goal was a good example.

A point shot that Staal redirected from the face-off circle made its way past Woll. Woll had no traffic in front, but the redirection was too much for Woll to handle, leading to the goal.

The Leafs will get a day to regroup before taking on the Vancouver Canucks next at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.