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Craig Berube makes controversial decision regarding the Maple Leafs' power play
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro | Imagn Images
Unable to capitalize on three power plays against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, Craig Berube makes a puzzling decision about the Leafs' special teams.
Ranked 27th in the league on the power-play, the Leafs are 2-for-11 with the man advantage through five games on their six-game road trip.
They've tried Morgan Rielly on the top unit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, neither of which led to much success.
More recently, went back to a five-forward top PP unit that includes rookie Easton Cowan.
Missing Marner or not burying chances?
Last season, with Mitch Marner quarterbacking, the Leafs' top power-play unit was very successful.
Unfortunately, there is no Marner this year, and with few truly effective options, the Leafs have assigned Auston Matthews that role, playing back at the point, taking away their best shooting threat from the circle, which has resulted in them struggling to put the puck in the back of the net.
Berube offers no solution
Following their win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, where the power play went 0-for-3, Berube was asked about its struggles. The veteran coach offered an eye-brow raising comment in response.
"The power play is working through things. It is tough right now. It's not great. All we can do is keep working through things, and hopefully, something starts to really click, and it starts to get going in the right direction. I don't focus on percentages on the power play. I focus on how the power play helps us in-game, every game. It is not always about scoring; it is about creating momentum at times, too. Yeah, you want to score on it, and we need to start scoring on it, but at the same time, we have to keep working away, find some chemistry with some guys, and get it clicking."
Before leaving Florida on Wednesday, the Leafs held a short practice where they opted not to work on their man-advantage, perhaps to draw attention away from it.
While Berube is hopeful things will begin to click for them, fans are running out of patience in a hurry.
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33 MINUTES AGO | 6 ANSWERS Craig Berube makes controversial decision regarding the Maple Leafs' power play Should the Leafs spread their talent out across both units and give them equal opportunity? | ||
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