Craig Berube Expresses Real Concerns Over Maple Leafs' Play, Slams Team After Loss to Sens
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Ottawa Senators handed the Maple Leafs their 5th loss in 6 games on Saturday, and Craig Berube not only admitted to concerns about his team, but also called them out for a lack of urgency.
With just a few weeks remaining until the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Leafs have been disconnected, flat and barely functional since around the trade deadline.
On Saturday night, after losing 4-2 to the Senators, Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke about the team's struggles and clear lack of urgency .
"I would use the word urgency. There was some detail stuff. Their three goals were all about losing battles inside the blue line. We didn't win enough battles there in that area of the game. It is urgency, for me, and details that weren't there in the first two periods.
When we decided to have urgency and do things the right way, we were a way better team in the third, but you are behind. Sometimes, you don't come back. We had chances, but that is what happens."
When we decided to have urgency and do things the right way, we were a way better team in the third, but you are behind. Sometimes, you don't come back. We had chances, but that is what happens."
Auston Matthews addressed his team's poor performance after the frustrating loss at Scotiabank Arena, and also laid into the team and their attitude towards games of late.
Berube also expressed his concerns over his team's play, believing that an attitude adjustment may be necessary.
"I am concerned, for sure. It is an attitude that we have to have from the start of the game.
It is hockey, right? There are certain stretches you go through where it is not there. You just keep battling as a coach. You have to hold your players accountable to it, and they have to hold themselves accountable to it.
They need to make their mind up in the room as to the importance of the start of the game and 60 minutes of urgency, details, doing things right, and playing our game."
It is hockey, right? There are certain stretches you go through where it is not there. You just keep battling as a coach. You have to hold your players accountable to it, and they have to hold themselves accountable to it.
They need to make their mind up in the room as to the importance of the start of the game and 60 minutes of urgency, details, doing things right, and playing our game."
Berube did make some significant changes to his lineup ahead of last night's loss, so perhaps some of the issues the team experienced on Saturday were due to the new-look lines failing to have immediate chemistry. However, that does feel more like an excuse than anything else.
The Leafs now have 16 games remaining, which doesn't leave them with a lot of time to get these issues sorted out and fine-tune things in an attempt to get them as close to perfect as possible before the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
MARS 16 | 3045 ANSWERS Craig Berube Expresses Real Concerns Over Maple Leafs' Play, Slams Team After Loss to Sens What is the biggest area of concern for the Leafs heading into the final 16-game stretch? | ||
| Offense | 1011 | 33.2 % |
| Defense | 555 | 18.2 % |
| Goaltending | 243 | 8 % |
| It's all bad | 1236 | 40.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
