William Nylander extended the lead to 3-0 at 1:25 of the third period when he scored on a backhand tip at the top of the crease off a pass from Max Domi. The goal was the 45th of the season for the 28-year-old forward.
“I think you always want to be creating something,” Nylander said. “That was just a great play by ‘Doms’ to find me there. I just tapped my stick on the ice there. I didn’t have to do much.”
Aho scored a power-play goal on a one-timer at the top of the right circle off a pass from Seth Jarvis to make it 3-1 at 7:58.
“Everyone wants to feel good about their game going into the [playoffs],” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “So, we will learn from this and make sure we’re sharper next time. And when it matters, everyone will be ready to go.”
Aho’s goal came in the final seconds of a four-minute power play that included a strong blocker save by Woll on a one-timer by Jack Roslovic.
“We had some great blocks, and we almost got the kill off, but we did a pretty good job for most of that kill,” Woll said. “It’s awesome to see all the guys buying in, especially this time of the year. I thought we did a good job of eliminating the high-quality chances.”
John Tavares pushed it to 4-1 at 15:43, scoring in the slot after Domi gathered the rebound of his own shot attempt.
NOTES: Mitch Marner had the secondary assist on Matthews’ goal to give him 99 points (26 goals, 73 assists). The forward can become the fourth player in Maple Leafs history to have a 100-point season. Doug Gilmour, Darryl Sittler and Matthews each did it twice. … Forward Dakota Mermis made his Maple Leafs debut after he was emergency recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League. He had one shot on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in 15:11 of ice time. … Jarvis tied his career high of 67 points (set in 2023-24) and established a new career high by getting his 35th assist. … Carolina finished 31-9-1 at home, which is tied for the most home wins in franchise history (31-8-2 in 2005-06).
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