Craig Berube reveals the 3 things that sunk the Maple Leafs in their shootout loss to the Canadiens
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has identified the 3 things from last night's 2-1 shootout loss to the Canadiens that cost his team the win and the extra point.
Turnovers, missing the net and an abysmal power play all played a role in the Leafs coming up short of extending their win streak to 4 games, according to Craig Berube following a disappointing loss.
The Leafs are lucky to be coming out of Saturday's loss with a point after being heavily outshot by the Canadiens in this one.
Toronto looked sharp early, driving play inside and winning races during a strong first period that matched the coach's read of a clean start. The pace created steady zone time, which helped the Leafs own most of the meaningful touches in the opening frame.
The second period told a different story. Berube pinned the swing on costly puck management, noting the team turned pucks over repeatedly and invited Montreal back into the fight. Those mistakes stalled exits and forced Dennis Hildeby to absorb extra looks from the slot.
Craig Berube stresses execution and precision
Once the turnovers mounted, the Leafs' finishing touch evaporated. Berube estimated his group missed the net around fifteen times, and several of those chances came from prime shooting areas. The missed opportunities drained momentum because Montreal regained structure before Toronto could extend pressure.
Many fans echoed that frustration, pointing out how possession often faded into nothing when attempts sailed wide. The Leafs created the right patterns, but the execution wobbled at the wrong moments and kept the scoreline tight.
The third pillar of Berube's message centered on the power play. Toronto generated entries with control yet produced little bite once set. The coach said the unit needed to come through and it did not, which reflected a night where puck movement became too easy to read and Montreal's penalty killers closed lanes quickly.
One bright spot remained. Rookie goaltender Dennis Hildeby steadied the game with calm tracking and strong posture on high shots. His work allowed Toronto to reach overtime and secure a point rather than lose outright in regulation.
Hildeby made 33 saves and posted a .971 save percentage in the loss. Plain and simple, he was deserving of the win. His teammates undoubtedly let him down.
Berube acknowledged that silver lining, saying he appreciated the loser point, getting the game to a shootout, even if the larger performance fell short. The structure held for long stretches, and the group pushed back late, but the details that matter most in close games slipped too easily.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 543 ANSWERS Craig Berube reveals the 3 things that sunk the Maple Leafs in their shootout loss to the Canadiens Did Craig Berube correctly identify why the Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Montreal Canadiens? | ||
| Yes | 312 | 57.5 % |
| No | 113 | 20.8 % |
| Partly | 85 | 15.7 % |
| Unsure | 33 | 6.1 % |
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