Carolina Hurricanes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Lineups, Game Preview and How to Watch

What - Game 42 (24-15-2)
When - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9
Where - Lenovo Center; Raleigh, NC
How to Watch - ESPN+, hulu

The Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-13-2) tonight in the first set of yet another back-to-back.

This will be the first time this season that the Canes and Leafs have faced off.

Carolina is coming off of a tough 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in which they surrendered the go-ahead goal with less than a minute to go in regulation.

The Hurricanes didn't play poorly by any means, but they once again just needed a little more from those top guys that have been so hit and miss this year.

The Maple Leafs are winners of five in a row coming into Raleigh and they currently sit atop the Atlantic Division.

While captain Auston Matthews has missed a good chunk of time due to an undisclosed injury, the team has really come together under new coach Craig Berube, especially in goal.

Toronto poses a big challenge for Carolina, as they seemingly do every year.

Streaks

• Andrei Svechnikov (1g, 1a) and Jordan Staal (1g, 2a) have points in back-to-back games.

Milestone Watch

• Brent Burns is one game shy of sole possession for the sixth longest iron man streak in NHL history.

• Brent Burns is also five points shy of 900 career points.

• Jack Roslovic is three goals shy of 100 career goals.

Game Notes

• Carolina is 71-45-11-6 all-time against Toronto and swept the season series last year 3-0-0.

• The Maple Leafs have a few former Hurricanes on their roster including Max Domi, Jani Hakanpaa, Max Pacioretty and Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz.

• Jordan Staal has 34 points in 49 career games against the Maple Leafs

Key Matchups

Starting Goalies

• Pyotr Kochetkov: 15-9-1; 0.902 Sv%; 2.50 GAA

• Joseph Wall: 14-6-0; 0.915 Sv%; 2.46 GAA

Leading Scorers

• Goals - Jack Roslovic (17) / William Nylander (23)

• Points - Martin Necas (47) / Mitch Marner (58)

Power Play

• Carolina - 23.4% (12th)

• Toronto - 20.7% (18th)

Penalty Kill

• Carolina - 84.9% (1st)

• Toronto - 83.2% (7th)

Hurricanes Projected Lineup

Jack Roslovic - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
Eric Robinson - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Martin Necas
Andrei Svechnikov - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook
Juha Jaaska - Jack Drury - Jackson Blake

Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burn
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Ty Smith - Sean Walker

Pyotr Kochetkov
Dustin Tokarski

Injuries and Scratches: William Carrier (LBI), Shayne Gostisbehere (UBI), Tyson Jost (LBI), Frederik Andersen (LBI), Jesper Fast (neck)

Maple Leafs Projected Lineup

Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann - John Tavares - William Nylander
Max Pacioretty - Max Domi - Steven Lorentz
Connor Dewar - David Kampf - Ryan Reaves

Morgan Rielly - Philippe Myers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit - Conor Timmins

Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby

Injuries and Scratches: Nikita Grebenkin, Nicolas Robertson, Anthony Stolarz (knee), Calle Jarnkrok (groin), Pontus Holmberg (illness), Jake McCabe (UBI), Jani Hakanpaa (knee)