Frederik Andersen and the Canes run their record to 5-0 with a win over the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t spoil the night for Frederik Andersen.
The Carolina Hurricanes scored three times in the second period in surging to a 4-1 victory over the Leafs at PNC Arena, staying undefeated at 5-0. And, just as importantly, giving Andersen a victory over his former team in the goalie’s fifth start and win this season.
Last week, the Canes made sure Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s return to Montreal went well as the forward faced the team that allowed him to leave after Carolina’s offer sheet. This night, it was Andersen ending the game with a smile, finishing with 24 saves and named the game’s first star.
Sebastian Aho scored his fourth of the season, tipping in a second-period shot, and Nino Niederreiter his second goal with a strong stuff later in the period. And fourth-liner Steven Lorentz had Canes fans up and roaring in the second, outfighting defenseman Rasmus Sandin to carry the puck down the slot knock it through the pads of goalie Jack Campbell for a 2-1 lead.
Andrei Svechnikov, who played on Aho’s line much of the game, had a late empty-net score -- his fifth goal of the season -- as Slavin picked up his second assist.
“This group so far works hard every night,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We’ve still got some areas to clean up (but) it’s good we’re finding ways to win, making big plays.”
Lorentz’s determination and score was indicative of how the Canes went about their business this night. It started with Jordan Martinook blocking a shot and Lorentz doing the rest and not being denied.
“Guys worked hard, which got us the victory in the end, and obviously Freddie stood on his head again,” Slavin said. “Playing to the last whistle and not giving (the Leafs) any hope is huge.”
Andersen said he tried to avoid any “mind games” that come with facing former teammates and knowing their tendencies and over-thinking. The Leafs’ Auston Matthews, a close friend of Andersen’s, scored the game’s first goal with a wraparound but Andersen then shut things down.
“Obviously I got caught on that play, he made a nice play,” Andersen said. “Obviously not so fun start but the guys played a helluva game and battled back and got the lead back.”
The Canes brought in David Ayres to sound the warning siren before the game, rekindling memories of the last time the Canes and Leads played. Ayres’ had some myth-making play in that February 2020 game in Toronto, entering the game as the emergency backup goalie and helping the Canes to a 6-3 victory.
The losing goalie that night was Andersen, not that he seemed to care Monday. He said he didn’t know Ayres was in the building or at the game.
When the Canes faced adversity Monday, they answered, emphatically.
Matthews’ goal was the first of the season and the 200th of his career. The Leafs (2-4-1) not only had the lead but got it from their biggest star.
Canes defenseman Brett Pesce was slammed into the boards in the first when Toronto’s Nick Ritchie put a forearm into Pesce’s head.
The Canes’ Jaccob Slavin picked up a penalty in the second — yes, a penalty on Slavin, a hockey rarity.
How did the Canes respond? Pesce popped up, shook off the hit and played. Carolina scored three times in the second. As for Slavin ...
Soon after leaving the penalty box, foreign territory for the defenseman, Slavin gathered in the puck near the right point, left the Leafs’ Mitch Marner grasping at air with a nifty side step and stickhandling and got the puck to Niederreiter for the score and 3-1 lead.
“I saw Nino down there all by himself and he took it to the hoop,” Slavin said.
One of the Leafs goalies did get a nice ovation. Petr Mrazek, who signed with Toronto after last season, is injured and was seated high above the ice. The Canes welcomed him back on the big board and many fans rose to salute the goalie who helped them get back to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Campbell had a terrific first period, stopping 15 shots as Carolina piled up zone time but couldn’t score. The Canes made the most of their six shots in the second, scoring on half of them.
The Canes continue the four-game homestand Thursday against the Boston Bruins. A sixth straight start for Andersen? Or Antti Raanta, another offseason acquisition, getting his first look?
“I feel like I’m in a good spot right now and a good group going, and it’s really special when the guys play like they did tonight,” Andersen said.
This story was originally published October 25, 2021 at 9:37 PM.
