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Craig Berube Identifies Fatal Flaw in Maple Leafs' Game in Season Opener Against Montreal

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Ryan Smitheram
October 10, 2024 (9:31)

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Craig Berube called out the Leafs' special teams after their loss Wednesday night

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs opened the season with a loss to the Montreal Canadiens, which led to Craig Berube calling out the Leafs' primary flaw, which cost them the game.

The Leafs fired 47 shots at Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault on Wednesday, but were unable to beat the 27-year-old and were shut out for the first time in 227 games in their season opener.

While the team failed to register a goal, head coach Craig Berube was surprisingly pleased with their overall performance - at even strength at least. Here's what Berube had to say about the game as a whole:

"A lot of good things. A lot of shots. I thought the execution was off, whether it was the shot or the passing. It just wasn't clean enough at times, the power play included. But there was a lot of good stuff. When you almost get 50 shots on net and you don't scoreTheir goalie played well, but I was happy with our effort. The guys battled and worked. Stolarz was really good in net. A lot of good things, but we have to find a way to finish better."

In being pleased with the team's effort at even strength, Berube noted that the fatal flaw that cost them the game was on the power play where the Leafs went 0-for-4. He also disliked how their unnecessary penalties took away their momentum.

"Not direct enough. A little outside for me, you know? We didn't look to attack right away, get shots, and get pucks to the net to look for some rebounds. We were just moving it around on the outside too much. I don't want to call it 'too cute,' but we have to be more direct. That, too," said Berube on the PP.

Berube also didn't enjoy how often his team was in the box, including a pair of calls that led to a 5-on-3 for the Canadiens, and took the wind out of the Leafs' sails.

"They were unnecessary penalties, some of them. We talked before the game and in between periods about it. We have to be better."

The Leafs won't have much time to correct their power play miscues right away, as they are right back in action Thursday against the New Jersey Devils and their former coach Sheldon Keefe. With Joseph Woll now on injured reserve the Leafs have yet to announce a starting goalie for Thursday's game but could give rookie Dennis Hildeby his first career start to let Anthony Stolarz rest for Saturday's home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Former Leafs Enforcer Slams Joseph Woll Over Persistent Health Issues

Maple Leafs Reporter Reveals Why Liljegren Ended Up As the Odd Man Out in Toronto

Insider Confirms Talks Progressing Between Leafs and Two Important Pending Free Agents

POLL
3 HOURS AGO \| 220 ANSWERS Craig Berube Identifies Fatal Flaw in Maple Leafs' Game in Season Opener Against Montreal Were you impressed with the Leafs' effort in game 1?
▢ Yes
▢ No
▢ It was better than past openers but not the best