Craig Berube Identifies Key Area the Leafs Need To Improve On to Find Success in the Playoffs
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Despite their win over the Ducks on Sunday, Leafs coach Craig Berube revealed what his players need to improve on if they hope to have any playoff success.
A few days after calling out his performance against the San Jose Sharks, Berube gave Joseph Woll the opportunity to bounce back against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Woll posted a .935 save percentage on Sunday, stopping 29 of 31 shots -- far better than the .857 save percentage he posted against the Sharks on Thursday.
While Woll credited his defensemen for blocking a ton of shots in securing the win, Berube echoed Woll's comments, but still believes it is an area that that his team could improve in heading into the playoffs.
"We stress it a lot. I still think we can do a better job of it. We are going to need to do a better job of it. It is a big deal. In the playoffs to win hockey games - tight games - you have to be willing to block shots. I thought our D blocked a ton of them tonight."
The Leafs blocked 22 shots against the Ducks, just a day after blocking 14 against the LA KIngs, allowing both Anthony Stolarz and Woll to stop what they could see and it led to both securing important points for the blue and white giving them a 3-point lead in the battle for top spot in the Atlantic Division.
With just eight games left in the regular season, the Leafs will look to continue to correct the little things, particularly on the defensive side of the puck in the hopes of securing home-ice advantage for the first round in what many expect and hope is a long playoff run.
| POLL | ||
MARS 31 | 2011 ANSWERS Craig Berube Identifies Key Area the Leafs Need To Improve On to Find Success in the Playoffs What area do the Leafs need to improve in most heading into the playoffs? | ||
| Shot blocking | 122 | 6.1 % |
| Penalty Kill | 524 | 26.1 % |
| Five-on-five | 1176 | 58.5 % |
| Other | 189 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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