Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Keys Versus Carolina Hurricanes

As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, we look at three factors which could decide the outcome at the Air Canada Centre.

More from Toronto Maple Leafs

• Maple Leafs Rumours: Half of NHL teams interested in Ilya Mikheyev
• Toronto Maple Leafs: How to address the goaltender position
• Leafs reward Timothy Liljegren with extension after breakout season
• Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell situation becoming increasingly uncertain
• Jason Spezza retires, joins Toronto Maple Leafs front office

Give the Toronto Maple Leafs credit where it’s due. No matter how weak the roster is now, they are still working hard, as evidenced by their comeback attempt against the Nashville Predators, after falling behind 3-0.

Unfortunately for Leafs fans, it is still hard to envision many more wins in the final 24 games of this season. Next up are the Carolina Hurricanes, who currently find themselves just two points out of a playoff spot.

This will be the third and final meeting between the sides this season, with the teams splitting the first two games. We look at three factors, which will help determine who comes away with the series win.

1) The Staal factor

Jordan Staal has been in a zone recently, with a goal in his last game making it 23 points in his previous 21 games. Furthermore, at his current rate, the former second overall draft pick is on course for his most productive season yet.

Ironically, almost the opposite could be said for his brother, Eric Staal, who is set to have his lowest points total since his rookie year. While the 31-year old also scored in Carolina’s last game against the Philadelphia Flyers, it was his first goal in over a month.

However, after the recent gutting of the Leafs roster, combined with some of their better players being injured or suspended, they could represent the ideal opponent for the struggling centre to face. It is also worth noting coach Bill Peters shifted the older Staal to the left wing for practice on Wednesday, conceivably looking for ways to rejuvenate him.

2) A green blue line

The Leafs had two rookie defencemen in the lineup for the previous game against the Nashville Predators. Furthermore, along with Viktor Loov and Stuart Percy, all six of the players used on the blue line were 25 or younger.

With all the uncertainty in front of him, Jonathan Bernier could be forgiven for feeling slightly nervous. He is not enjoying a particularly successful campaign so far and was pulled in his most recent game against the Flyers.

Regardless, it will be up to Bernier to take advantage of this opportunity to start. He will know better than anyone that he will need a stand-out performance to get his first home win since January 2.

3) Noah Hanifin

Some hockey analysts will tell you the Leafs should have selected Noah Hanifin in last year’s draft – such is the beauty of hindsight. Regardless, there is no denying he has made a seamless transition to the NHL level.

The rookie defenceman is well capable of holding his own. However, he is still a first-year player, and Mike Babcock will look to exploit the situation.

As such, you can expect the Leafs coach to put Nazem Kadri up against Hanifin as often as possible. With the current rumors surrounding Kadri, expect to see a supremely motivated player on the ice.

Next: 4 steps Leafs management should take next

What do you expect from the Leafs against the Hurricanes? Let us know in the comments section below.