Carolina @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2019 ) Carolina 4, Toronto 1

The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken hold of their season over the last two weeks, winning six of seven contests to move into second place in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs bid to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games on Monday afternoon when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in the last contest before the NHL holiday break.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe elected to shake up his lines mid-game on Saturday, and the newly formed group of Auston Matthews, Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner paid significant dividends with eight points (four goals, four assists) in a 4-1 victory over Detroit. "I just felt we kind of needed to mix it up a little bit and try to just change the chemistry and try to spark something and try to accept the rhythm of the game," Keefe said. While the Maple Leafs have gained steam, the Hurricanes followed up a grueling 11-day road trip by seeing their seven-game point streak (6-0-1) come to a halt with a 4-2 setback against Florida on Saturday. "We've got to grind one more game. Then, we get a little bit of rest," said Teuvo Teravainen, who has five of his club-best 29 assists during his four-game point streak.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, FS Carolinas, Sportsnet Ontario (Toronto)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (22-12-2): Offseason trade acquisition Erik Haula registered five shots on goal and won 10 of 15 faceoffs on Saturday in his return from a 15-game absence due to an ailing knee that previously required major surgery. "He adds a lot more depth to our whole group and then that filters down," coach Rod Brind'Amour said of the 28-year-old Finn, per the Raleigh News & Observer. "For me, it feels a lot more comfortable when he's in the lineup and I can play anybody against anybody. We just balance out way more and effectively." Sebastian Aho, who has collected three of his team-leading 21 goals over the last three games, scored in Carolina's 5-2 win over Toronto on Nov. 21, 2018, to help the club take two of three meetings with the Maple Leafs last season.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (19-14-4): Matthews, who leads the club in goals (23) and points (41), recorded his NHL high-tying sixth multi-goal performance on Saturday and third in his last seven games. Hyman matched Matthews with two goals and an assist against the Red Wings for a career high-tying point effort on Saturday, giving him six of his eight tallies this season in December. Marner, who leads the team with 22 assists, set up both of Matthews' goals versus Detroit and carries a seven-game point streak (four goals, eight assists) into Monday's matinee.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina's Dougie Hamilton recorded his 200th career NHL assist on Saturday for his 35th point this season, the most by a defenseman through the first 36 games of a campaign since the team relocated from Hartford.

2. Maple Leafs G Frederik Andersen sports 6-3-0 record in 10 career encounters with the Hurricanes.

3. Carolina C Lucas Wallmark scored a power-play goal on Saturday to give him points in five of his last seven games after recording eight in his previous 29.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Hurricanes 2