Recap: Canes Come Up Short In Toronto, 3-2

TORONTO, ON. -The Carolina Hurricanes came up short against the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night, falling by a score of 3-2.

The Rundown:
Carolina came out of the gate with a strong start, putting an immense amount of pressure on the Leafs and rookie netminder Erik Källgren in the opening ten minutes. Holding Toronto to just one shot during that stretch of time, the Canes had a few glaring opportunities to get the game's first goal, however they were kept out of the back of the net.
As the visiting side's control continued into the later stages of the opening frame, it was eventually the hosting Leafs that would take the first lead of the night. Going against the grain of how the moments leading up to the marker transpired, a streaking Ilya Mikheyev snuck one behind Frederik Andersen while rushing toward the net, making it 1-0.
The goal served as a pivotal turning point in the affair, putting an end to Carolina's momentum with 4:12 remaining in the opening frame.
Carrying that same score into the second period, Mitch Marner was then able to double Toronto's lead to a pair just 4:39 into the middle portion of the affair. A complete night-and-day switch from the opening stages of the contest, Carolina then had to chase the game, all the way into the third period.
Although it would not last long, the Canes were able to make it a one-goal game once again to start the final frame of regulation, as Ethan Bear notched his second goal in four games.

The 2-1 score held in place for all of 3:11, before Toronto cashed in on a costly turnover. Attempting to break out of their own end, a failed pass by a Canes defenseman resulted in a two-on-one for the Maple Leafs, where Ondrej Kase put his team back ahead by two.
That was all the insurance the home team needed, as Carolina's push was not enough to come back from that. Vincent Trocheck was able to strike with the extra attacker on with 3.6 seconds remaining, but that would be the last action in the game's 3-2 final score.
They Said It:
Vincent Trocheckafter saying that he felt the difference in tonight's game was just some of the mistakes that the team made:
"I think there's a lot of similarities in the way that both teams play. Systems are very similar, both teams played hard. I think it was just a matter of those mistakes on very simple plays that we know and practice all the time."
Ethan Bearon what he would like to see different on the power play, which went 0/3 tonight:
"I think we need to get more shots and be more tenacious around the net. That's really it. We need to get more shots and create those hard battles in front. We have an extra guy out there. We just have to work a little harder than them."
Rod Brind'Amoursharing his assessment on the evening:
"We have to capitalize on our chances, which we didn't, and then it magnifies the mistakes you make, right? You're going to make mistakes. Give them credit, they capitalized and they got the win out of it."
What's Next?:
The Canes fly home immediately post-game and will play right again tomorrow night against the Washington Capitals. Washington was in Columbus tonight, routing the Blue Jackets 7-2.
Bonus Notes:
Worth A Click:
Writers Roundtable: Approaching The Final Stretch
Stepan's Ride To Raleigh & Fit With The Canes
Hurricanes March Schedule
NHL Standings