third seed in the East in the playoffs. In the first round, the Hurricanes defeated the favoured New Jersey Devils in six games, followed by defeats of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Eastern Conference, setting up a Final against the Detroit Red Wings. In the Finals, the Hurricanes were no match for the Red Wings, as Detroit won the series in five games. The Hurricanes struggled in the 2002–03 season, finishing with the worst record in the NHL, going 22–43–11–6, earning only 61 points and well out of the playoffs. Carolina continued to struggle at the start of the 2003–04, as 30 games in, the club had an 8–12–8–2 record. On December 15, 2003, the Hurricanes fired Maurice, replacing him with Peter Laviolette. Toronto Marlies (2005–2006) On June 24, 2005, Maurice was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to become the head coach of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies had just relocated to Toronto from St. John's, Newfoundland, for the 2005–06 season. With the Marlies, Maurice led the club into the playoffs with a 41–29–6–4, earning 92 points and fourth place in the North Division. In the post-season, the Marlies were swept by the Grand Rapids Griffins in the first round. On May 12, 2006, Maurice was promoted from the Marlies to become head coach of the Maple Leafs. Toronto Maple Leafs (2006–2008) Maurice became the head coach of the Maple Leafs in the 2006–07 season after the club failed to reach the playoffs in 2005–06 and relieved Pat Quinn from his duties. In his first season with the Leafs, Maurice led the club to a 40–31–11 record for 91 points, though the Leafs finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, missing out on a playoff position by a single point. Toronto struggled to a 36–35–11 record in 2007–08, as the team once again failed to make the playoffs. On May 7, 2008, Maurice was fired from the Maple Leafs by Interim General Manager Cliff Fletcher. Return to Carolina (2008–2011) Maurice rejoined the Carolina Hurricanes on December 3, 2008, after the club fired Head Coach Peter Laviolette. At the time of the firing, the Hurricanes had a 12–11–2 record. Under Maurice, Carolina responded with a 33–19–5 record to finish the 2008–09 season, earning second place in the Southeast Division and sixth place in the East. In the playoffs,