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Leafs seek back-to-back wins versus Hurricanes

Feb 3, 2011 - 3:41 PM (Sports Network) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to post a second straight victory when they host the Carolina Hurricanes for this evening's clash at Air Canada Centre.

The Maple Leafs lost three straight and six of seven heading into the All-Star break, but emerged from the hiatus with Tuesday's shootout victory against visiting Florida. Toronto last won back-to-back games during a four-game winning streak from Jan. 6-11.

The Leafs, who are 12 points out of playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, notched a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Tuesday after Colby Armstrong scored the game-winner in the third round of the shootout.

Armstrong used a head fake to get Scott Clemmensen out of position and slipped the puck past the left post. Afterwards, Jean-Sebastien Giguere used his left leg pad to stone Chris Higgins' shot to preserve the win for the home team.

Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs. Kris Versteeg also lit the lamp for the victors while Giguere stopped 30-of-33 shots he faced.

Toronto, which is 11-11-4 as the host this season, has not fared well in recent years against Carolina. The Hurricanes have taken both meetings this year, giving them victories in five straight and six of the last seven encounters.

Carolina, which is 12-11-4 on the road this season, has also won five in a row and six of its last seven in Toronto.

The Hurricanes hosted this year's All-Star weekend and were handed a loss in their first game following the break, as Boston notched a 3-2 road win Tuesday at RBC Center.

Jamie McBain and Joe Corvo tallied for the Hurricanes, who are one point behind Atlanta for the final postseason spot in the East. The Thrashers are hosting the Calgary Flames tonight.

Cam Ward allowed three goals on 33 shots in defeat and is expected to get the start tonight. He is 9-6-1 with a 3.16 goals-against average in his career against Toronto.

Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen also suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's loss and he could be sidelined for up to two weeks, the club announced on Wednesday. In 45 games this season, the Finland native has tallied 12 goals and 26 assists.