Toronto Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Max Pacioretty and Craig Berube Open Up About Maple Leafs' Recent Dip in Play Quality
Photo credit: RICK OSENTOSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS
Veteran Max Pacioretty and Craig Berube open up about the Maple Leafs' recent stretch of disappointing hockey.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, following a much-needed three-day holiday break, it's clear that the team needed the rest. The Leafs have been in a slump recently, posting a 5-5-0 record in their last 10 games, which is underwhelming for the team this season.
Veteran forward Max Pacioretty believes the break will be beneficial for the team.
As per David Alter of The Hockey News, here's what Pacioretty had to say:
"It was obvious that everyone needed a little bit of a rest there. Every team deals with it when teams are waiting for you, and you seem like you've been traveling every day and playing a lot, and we've been playing a lot of hockey."
Pacioretty also sees this stretch as a valuable learning experience for the team moving forward.
"It's a good lesson, I think, that in those circumstances you've probably got to tighten up defensively and maybe hold down the forward a little bit better than we did."
Head coach Craig Berube also weighed in on the Leafs' recent struggles, expressing confidence that the team can correct its issues moving forward.
"We had chances to score in the last couple of games. Didn't go in. It's the other side of the puck that is more concerning for me. We gave up three goals to Winnipeg that, in my opinion, are easily corrected. I talk about details, stick details, little things, you know, that we've got to do better."
The Maple Leafs were fully rested for their game against the Red Wings, though they still had to play without superstar forward Auston Matthews, who remains sidelined with an injury.
The result of Friday's game was a good one for the Leafs, who picked up the 5-2 win thanks to a Mitch Marner natural hat trick, moving back into a tie with Florida for 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Joseph Woll started in goal, which means that Matt Murray is slated to start on Saturday against the Washington Capitals.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 2147 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty and Craig Berube Open Up About Maple Leafs' Recent Dip in Play Quality Do the Maple Leafs need to make a trade to shake up their current roster? | ||
| Yes | 1541 | 71.8 % |
| No | 606 | 28.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
TORONTO HOCKEY DAILY
COPYRIGHT @2025 • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE · PRIVACY POLICY · COOKIE POLICY
COPYRIGHT @2025 • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE · PRIVACY POLICY · COOKIE POLICY