HURRICANES 3, MAPLE LEAFS 0: Cam Ward posted his fifth shutout of the season as visiting Carolina snapped a two-game losing skid and kept its slim playoff hopes alive.

Ward made 32 saves in a relatively quiet night between the pipes, excluding a shot directly off the mask which snapped a strap and force an equipment delay seven minutes into the second period.

Carolina has won eight of the last 11 meetings with Toronto.

The loss officially eliminated the Maple Leafs from postseason contention and was Toronto’s 10th straight defeat on home ice, the longest streak in club history which triggered a chorus of boos from the Air Canada Centre crowd.

Jussi Jokinen’s backhand deflected off the stick of defenseman Cody Franson and fooled Jonas Gustavsson to open the scoring with seven minutes remaining in the first period.

Former Maple Leaf Tim Brent beat Gustavsson glove side with a rocket that needed an official review, putting the Hurricanes ahead 2-0 with just over a minute remaining in the opening frame.

Carolina chased Gustavsson early into the second period when Jay Harrison found the top corner on a soft shot from the sharp angle to extend the lead to 3-0. Rookie backup Jussi Rynnas, who was called up from the American Hockey League in place of the injured James Reimer, stopped all 10 shots he faced in relief.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Toronto has totaled 25 first-period shots in the last five games. … Carolina has earned points in 13 of its last 18 games. … Rynnas was the fourth goaltender used by Toronto this season. ... Tuomo Ruutu picked up two assists for the Hurricanes.