Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Connolly's 2 Goals Lift Leafs

In a game that was more lopsided then the scoreboard showed, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed a Tim Connolly overtime goal to edge out a win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Cam Ward, who was pulled after surrendering four goals to the Winnipeg Jets this past Saturday, was the star of the game. Without Ward playing lights-out, the Maple Leafs could have easily scored five or six goals.

It was evident on the Maple Leafs first power play that Ward was going to have a good night. Not to mention that historically, Ward has played some of his finest hockey at the Air Canada Centre (ACC), registering a .930 save percentage or higher in his last six starts at the ACC.

James Reimer, who has been winless since his return from injury, played a solid game. Although he was not tested as much as Ward, Reimer still made timely saves, keeping the Maple Leafs in the game. 

The Maple Leafs opened the scoring with just over five minutes remaining in the game, as Connolly deflected in a wrist shot from Clarke MacArthur. 

It looked to be over until Joffrey Lupul took a high sticking penalty with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

In typical Maple Leafs fashion, they surrendered a goal late in the power play, scored by none other than former Maple Leaf Alexei Ponikarovsky.

With the game tied once again, the Maple Leafs continued their pressure to end regulation, as they had the majority of puck possession.

Overtime did not last long, as Lupul's slap shot squeaked through Ward, causing a frenzy in the goal crease. The puck bounced around before rolling out to Connolly, who tapped in his second goal and game winner.

With the Maple Leafs embarking on a stretch of 13 home games in the next 19, a win was much needed.

The Maple Leafs will face the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks this upcoming weekend. With the bottom eight of the Eastern Conference being congested, the Maple Leafs will need to pick up two points at minimum.