National Hockey League
Carolina 6, Toronto 3
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, January 9, 2025
Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Referees: Brandon Schrader, Francois St. Laurent
Linesmen: Shandor Alphonso, CJ Murray
Attendance: 18750

Jordan Staal scored a hat trick and the Carolina Hurricanes overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Staal's third goal came 20 seconds into the third period, giving him a goal in each period and eight this season. It was the captain's fifth career hat trick (including one in the postseason) and his first since April 10, 2022.

Eric Robinson, Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis also scored for the Hurricanes, who played in the first of three home games across four nights. Jordan Martinook supplied three assists, and Pyotr Kochetkov made 30 saves.

Nicholas Robertson, William Nylander and Auston Matthews provided the goals for Toronto, which had a five-game winning streak snapped. Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll, who had won in his last five starts, stopped 28 shots.

The Maple Leafs led 2-0 in the first period, going up on Robertson's goal just 1:59 into the game.

Nylander's goal was next on a breakaway with 7:29 to play in the period. It came shortly after he was stopped by Kochetkov on a breakaway, but he ended up with his 24th goal of the season anyway.

But Robinson and Staal scored from in front of the net 17 seconds apart. Robinson knocked in on a scramble in front, while Staal was the recipient of Andrei Svechnikov's work and pass from behind the net.

Staal's short-handed goal put Carolina on top 35 seconds into the second period, but Matthews responded with an equalizer before the power play expired.

Blake scored the go-ahead goal 4:58 into the second period. Juha Jaaska recorded an assist on that play for his first NHL point.

Playing in his 885th consecutive game, Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns moved into the sixth spot on the NHL's all-time list. Burns logged an assist on Staal's third goal, giving him 11 assists this season.

The Jarvis goal went into an empty net with 3:37 to play. Carolina has won five of its last six home games.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Toronto   Carolina
Auston Matthews 1 Points Jordan Staal 3
Auston Matthews 1 Goals Jordan Staal 3
Max Domi 1 Assists Jordan Martinook 3
Auston Matthews 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals Jordan Staal 1
Joseph Woll .848 Save Percentage Pyotr Kochetkov .909
Joseph Woll 28 Saves Pyotr Kochetkov 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Toronto 33 3 1-2 3-3 6 26
Carolina 34 6 0-3 1-2 4 27
Upcoming Games
  • Carolina will play their next game at home against Vancouver. The Hurricanes have a W/L % of .480 after a win and .765 after a loss.
  • Toronto will play their next game at home against Vancouver. The Maple Leafs have a W/L % of .607 after a win and .667 after a loss.