NHL Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 01/09/2025

Toronto Maple Leafs (27-13-2, 56 pts) at Carolina Hurricanes (24-15-2, 50 pts)

Venue: Lenovo Center
Date: Thursday, January 9
Time: 7:30 pm EST
TV: ESPN+ / Disney+ / Hulu
Radio: 
Toronto – Sportsnet 590 AM The FAN
Carolina – The Fan 99.9 FM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Toronto +1.5 ML +145
Carolina -1.5 ML -170
O/U 5.5

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Toronto Maple Leafs News & Notes: 

Toronto has won five in a row as they head to Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes; the Maple Leafs have had an impressive first half of the season, leading the Atlantic Division by four points over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The Maple Leafs are 10-6-2 on the road this season as they prepare for a battle of two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. 

Carolina Hurricanes News & Notes: 

The Hurricanes have been a little up and down in their last five games, alternating wins and losses, most recently dropping a 3-2 decision to the struggling Lightning in Tampa. Carolina is eight points behind the surprising Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes are 15-5-0 at home this season as they try to defend home ice in the first of three matchups with Toronto. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines:

Knies-Matthews-Marner
McMann-Tavares-Nylander
Pacioretty-Domi-Lorentz
Dewar-Kampf-Reaves

Ekman-Larsson-Tanev
Rielly-Myers
Benoit-Timmins

Woll
Hildeby

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Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lines:

Jarvis-Aho-Roslovic
Robinson-Kotkaniemi-Necas
Svechnikov-Staal-Martinook
Jaaska-Drury-Blake

Slavin-Burns
Orlov-Chatfield
Smith-Walker

Tokarski
Kochetkov

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Players To Watch:

Toronto Maple Leafs

There may be no one in the NHL playing better in his last three games than Matthew Knies; the 22-year-old winger has goals in each of his last three games, including a hat trick and five total points in a 6-4 win over the rival Boston Bruins. Knies has already surpassed his goal total of a year ago with 16 goals in the season. The Phoenix, Arizona native is on his way to a career year in his breakout season with a 51-point pace after producing 35 points a season ago. 

Carolina Hurricanes

Like the Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho has been up and down over the last six games, with three multi-point games and three games where he was held without a point. The 27-year-old pivot has 30 points (11g, 19a) in their 24 wins and only 13 points in their 17 losses. 

Injury Report:

Toronto Maple Leafs

G Anthony Stolarz – IR
C Calle Jarnkrok – IR
D Jake McCabe – OUT

Carolina Hurricanes 

G Frederik Andersen – IR
D Shayne Gostisbehere – IR
C Tyson Jost – OUT
RW Jesper Fast – LTIR 

Next game:

Toronto Maple Leafs – January 11 vs. Vancouver Canucks
Carolina Hurricanes – January 10 vs. Vancouver Canucks

Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss – Bruins Benders Podcast

Joe Sacco applauds a “gutsy” loss. Charlie Coyle says there are bigger issues than lack of scoring. The Panthers await on Saturday and Kristie Delisi from Inside the Rink joins us and Bruins fans make a statement plus much more!DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.

1. Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss 46:58
2. Season 4. Episode 15. Public Skate 50:19
3. Season 4. Episode 14. West Coast Road Trip. 41:21
4. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway 01:14:21
5. Season 4. Episode 12. Going Streaking! 55:26