Craig Berube didn’t hold back after watching the Toronto Maple Leafs squander a golden opportunity against the Nashville Predators on the road. The coach was direct with his players about what he didn’t like about the game.
Following the Leafs’ 5-2 loss to the Predators, Berube voiced his frustration with a sharp critique: “I’m not sure if I’m surprised. These kinds of mental mistakes can happen throughout the year.” The 9-word phrase from his statement that stood out the most was this: “I haven’t seen mistakes like that in a while.”
The loss was particularly disappointing as it cost the Leafs a chance to strengthen their position in the NHL Eastern Conference. Defenseman Chris Tanev acknowledged the missed opportunity, saying, “It’s a huge opportunity missed for us.”
Berube went on to call out the team’s failures, specifically against odd-man rushes like two-on-ones and three-on-ones: “We gave up, kind of disconnected in the second period in my opinion.” In that period, the Leafs conceded three goals to the Predators. The coach admitted, “we didn’t defend well enough.”
Berube Talks Loss of Control
After losing control in the second period, Berube reflected on the Predators’ intensity, stating, “they came out there, they looked more hungry than us.” He also lamented that his players didn’t fight for more room during the period.
Positive Outlook Despite Tough Loss
Despite the painful defeat, the Maple Leafs still have time to recover. A win could have secured their spot as leaders of the Atlantic Division, but with 87 points, there’s still plenty for the team to offer. Their three-game winning streak has come to an end, but the upcoming matchup against the Flyers on March 25 could mark the beginning of a new opportunity.