Jan 9, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner Struggle with Career-Low -6 Ratings in Hurricanes Loss

Matthews, Marner, and Knies Struggle as Leafs' Winning Streak Ends Against Carolina in Eastern Conference Showdown

The Toronto Maple Leafs top line of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies had a challenging night during their 6-3 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh on Thursday. The line finished with a total of -17, as Matthews and Marner both recorded a career-low -6 rating.

Marner and Knies contributed to Matthews’ 14th goal of the season early in the second period during a power play, mere moments after conceding a shorthanded goal to veteran Jordan Staal, who scored twice more that night. Matthews, who has recorded three goals and five assists in four matches since returning from a lower-body injury, concurred with his coach.

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Even with securing the victory, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour wasn’t particularly pleased with how the game was played. Thursday’s game featured a clash between two top teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Maple Leafs (27-14-2) heading the Atlantic Division with 56 points after a five-game winning streak that ended against Carolina. The Hurricanes (25-15-2) currently have 52 points in 42 games this season, placing them third in the Metropolitan, a solid eight points clear of the fourth-place Columbus Blue Jackets.

Thursday’s game featured a clash between two top teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Maple Leafs (27-14-2) currently atop the Atlantic Division, holding 56 points following a five-game winning streak before losing to Carolina. The Hurricanes (25-15-2) currently have 52 points after 42 games this season, placing them third in the Metropolitan, a solid eight points clear of the fourth-ranked Columbus Blue Jackets.

Image Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Auston Matthews

Mitch Marner

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Anamika Shrivastava

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