SPORTS

Lupul's shootout goal lifts Maple Leafs over Hurricanes 2-1

Mike Potter The Associated Press
Published Friday, November 20, 2015 10:21PM EST Last Updated Friday, November 20, 2015 10:44PM EST

Toronto Maple Leafs' Daniel Winnik (26) advances the puck with Carolina Hurricanes' Kris Versteeg (32) in pursuit during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, in Raleigh, N.C. (Karl B DeBlaker/AP Photo)

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Joffrey Lupul beat Cam Ward glove side in the fifth round of the shootout, giving the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.

It was Toronto's fifth win in its last six games. The Hurricanes lost their fifth straight.

After Brad Malone scored for the Hurricanes 7:47 into the third period, Toronto's Nazem Kadri tied it 1-1 with 3:33 left.

Toronto's James Reimer stopped 33 shots, and Ward had 24 saves.

The Hurricanes survived an overtime penalty to get to the shootout.

Defenceman Jaccob Slavin made his NHL debut for Carolina. It was the first time in franchise history the club dressed six defencemen from the United States.

Carolina won the shots battle in the second period 10-3 and held a 22-11 advantage at the second intermission.

Carolina killed off two early power plays, but then came up dry in a 5-on-3 over the first 40 seconds of the second period.

Malone got his first goal of the season by beating Reimer on a tough angle from the right side with Justin Faulk and former Leaf Kris Versteeg getting assists. Versteeg leads the Hurricanes with nine assists, while Faulk -- who has a four-game point streak -- leads Carolina defencemen with seven.

Toronto tied the score on a power play when Kadri scored from the slot on a centring pass from Leo Komarov.

Carolina has won eight of its last 10 games against the Leafs in Raleigh and swept three meetings against Toronto last season.

NOTES: Carolina closes its five-game homestand with a game against Anaheim on Sunday. ... The Leafs play at Boston on Saturday night before returning home against the Bruins on Monday night. ... D Ryan Murphy (concussion) missed his second straight game for Carolina, while C Andrej Nestrasil and D Michal Jordan were healthy scratches. ... C Nick Spalding (upper body) missed his second straight game while D Frank Corrado and D Scott Harrington were healthy scratches. ... Hurricanes coach Bill Peters was an assistant to Leafs coach Mike Babcock when both were with the Detroit Red Wings. Babcock was the head coach when Peters played for the Red Deer College Kings of the Western Hockey League. ... The teams play three times this season, with Toronto hosting on Jan. 21 and Carolina at home on Feb. 25.