Then, it became the Pyotr Kochetkov show.
Toronto controlled the next 30 minutes of play, putting the Canes almost entirely on their heels. Rod Brind'Amour's club would make it out of the first period still ahead 2-0 thanks to their netminder, but that would not be the case after 40 minutes of play.
In the second, Toronto outshot Carolina 18-5, getting goals from Calle Jarnkrok and Auston Matthews to completely erase what had been a quality start for the Canes.
Had it not been for a few stellar stops from Kochetkov, the Maple Leafs could have certainly been ahead by several. However, Carolina managed to make it out of the second in a tied game, knowing they'd need to shift the momentum of the contest in order to earn the win.
They did just that to start the final stanza though, getting a tide-turning penalty kill in the first seven minutes. Less than a minute after they were able to get back to five-on-five play, Stefan Noesen found the go-ahead goal for Carolina.
A very-needed tally, the game put the Canes back in the driver's seat for the bulk of the third period. Toronto would not roll over though.
Although it came with some controversy, including what appeared to be a premature whistle and a subsequently followed video review, Matthews put home a rebound for his second goal of the night inside the final three minutes.
As an irate PNC Arena crowd expressed their displeasure with the officials, it took just 32 seconds for their boos to turn to cheers. Sebastian Aho was able to locate a rebound of his own, tapping the loose change from a Jaccob Slavin shot home for the eventual game-winner.
