Craig Berube's Message to the Maple Leafs After Game 5 Very Frustrating for the Fan Base

The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 5, a performance marked by a lack of urgency and intensity.

It marks the second straight game in which the Leafs have failed to close out the series. Now, they head back to a fired-up Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa for Game 6.

Head coach Craig Berube addressed what his team needs to do to stay on track, offering a calm but arguably unsatisfying message.

As per LeafsLatest on X:

Despite Berube's steady tone, the Leafs simply weren't good enough in Game 5. Captain Auston Matthews, expected to step up in key moments, has yet to make a significant impact in the series.

Veteran forward Max Pacioretty previously emphasized the importance of playing with desperation in the playoffs, saying players must be "willling to die on the ice." Strong words from a 16-year NHL veteran -- and ones that the Leafs could stand to take to heart.

While Berube had stressed the importance of clinching the series as early as possible in his pre-Game 5 remarks, the team failed, for the second straight game, to deliver.

Toronto will get a third opportunity to advance to the second round on Thursday, as they face the Senators once again-this time with rising pressure and shrinking room for error.