The Maple Leafs have looked incredibly different under new coach Craig Berube, excelling by playing more straight line hockey and getting their noses dirty, finishing their checks and winning puck battles.
The new system in Toronto is not without its hiccups, though, as some bad habits have crept up on the Leafs in the early stages of the season. Not only did Berube have to call a timout in the 3rd period of Wednesday's game against the Kings to get his guys in line, but he also had to stop them during practice on Friday to deliver a tongue-lashing to the group for their poor effort and execution.
It's a refreshing change of pace to have a guy behind the bench who demands excellence and maximum effort and who isn't afraid to hold guys accountable.
Berube seems focused on building Stanley Cup habits right from the onset of the season in hopes that these habits will become second nature to the group long before the postseason even begins, which should give the Leafs an edge. "Chief" knows a thing or two about Stanley Cup habits, as he captured hockey's greatest prize with the St. Louis Blues back in 2019.
POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 18 | 1988 ANSWERS Craig Berube Halts Practice to Lay Into Maple Leafs Once Again, Demanding Maximum Effort Have you been impressed with the job that Craig Berube has done since arriving in Toronto? | ||
Yes | 1521 | 76.5 % |
No | 105 | 5.3 % |
Ask me again after the first round | 362 | 18.2 % |
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