Craig Berube Bashes Leafs' Effort, Makes No Excuses for Controversial Loss
Following the Leafs' 3-1 loss to the Capitals Friday night, Craig Berube made no excuses and called out the team for their lack of effort and poor execution.
Although he directly called out Nick Robertson following last night's loss, Leafs bench boss Craig Berube was not pleased with anyone's play, outside that of goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
Berube was very critical of his team after the loss, but also gave the Washington Capitals a lot of credit for showing up to play a full 60 minutes. Even in complementing Washington, though, one couldn't help but notice that his comments sounded very pointed.
Connor McMichael's goal, which held up as the game-winner, was an unfortunate play that began with Auston Matthews' pass bouncing off an official behind the Leafs' net. The play sparked some controversy over whether pucks that hit the official should lead to a play being blown dead in the offensive zone.
Instead of using it as an excuse, Berube called out his players for reverting back to Sheldon Keefe's East-West play instead of his much more effective North-South style that has been adopted in Toronto.
The Leafs and Berube won't have much time to dwell on their poor effort on Friday as they are right back at it Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Leafs are expecting the return of Max Pacioretty on Saturday, which gives the team yet another offensive weapon both at 5v5 and on the power play.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 2490 ANSWERS Craig Berube Bashes Leafs' Effort, Makes No Excuses for Controversial Loss When will the Leafs make a trade to solve their roster situation? | ||
| Two weeks | 192 | 7.7 % |
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| Depends if someone else gets hurt | 311 | 12.5 % |
| Not until the deadline | 812 | 32.6 % |
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