It was the Leafs’ first eight-goal game since Dec. 19, 2017, when they beat Carolina 8-1 in a similar afternoon game in Toronto. Marner and Auston Matthews, playing on a line with Zach Hyman, were the catalysts as the Hurricanes’ two-goal lead evaporated. Six seconds after the faceoff, Marner scored again. Goals by Brock McGinn (shorthanded) and Martin Necas in the first period cut the Leafs lead to one heading into the intermission. That’s partially the reason why I didn’t call a timeout in that second period.

Source: National Post December 23, 2019 21:54 UTC