The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling as they face a five-game losing streak, following a heavy 7-4 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres. This loss concludes a winless five-game home stand and now puts the team eight points away from a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Maple Leafs will embark on a four-game road trip before the Olympic break in February.
Berube’s Frustration with Defensive Play
Head coach Craig Berube publicly expressed his frustration after the game. He reflected on the team’s performance during the home stand, saying, “We gotta keep the puck out of our net, is what I learned.” He emphasized that the team scored enough goals to win; however, defensive lapses cost them dearly.
Defensive Struggles Highlighted
During this home stand, the Maple Leafs conceded a total of 25 goals. They allowed six goals against both the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, and seven against the Sabres. Berube acknowledged several areas for improvement:
- Better game management
- Improved puck play
- Avoiding odd-man rushes
- Stricter defensive efforts
He stated, “We can score goals, but until we want to keep the puck out of our net, this is what we’re going to get.” The Maple Leafs currently have the worst goals-against record in the Eastern Conference, conceding 183 goals this season, which ranks them among the NHL’s bottom teams.
Goaltending Issues
The team’s goaltending situation has been challenging. Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, both expected to be key players, have missed significant time due to injuries. Woll allowed six goals on 30 shots in the recent loss, while Stolarz was in net for another defeat against the Golden Knights.
When questioned about his available goalies, Berube said, “These are our guys. Stolarz is back, ready to go.” He is confident that they can perform better moving forward.
Meeting to Address Problems
Prior to the game against Buffalo, the Maple Leafs held a closed-door meeting to address their recent struggles. Berube and team leaders emphasized a need to shift the team’s focus ahead of the crucial road trip. The head coach stated, “You’re not going to consistently win in this league by focusing on just scoring goals.” He reiterated the necessity of playing well defensively.
As they prepare for their road trip, Berube urged the team to work hard and compete. “We gotta earn them,” he said, referring to potential breaks in the next games. The team’s focus remains on pushing forward and improving their performance.
