Craig Berube's Comments May Have Hurt Joseph Woll's Confidence Ahead of the Playoffs
Did recent comments made by Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube lead to Joseph Woll's recent struggles in net?
Following a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in which Woll was pulled from the game in the first period, allowing three goals on seven shots, it was another challenging game for Woll who allowed in five goals in a win Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Allowing eight goals in those last two games is not what the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to see in Woll, who is supposed to be their potential long-term #1 option, but has been a difficult period for the 26-year-old netminder, with many thoughts as to why.
Now, questions are being asked over what has caused Woll's slump, with some speculation wondering if a comment made by Craig Berube may have gotten into his head, causing Woll's play to struggle the past two games.
Did Craig Berube Lead To Joseph Woll's Struggles In Net?
There is speculation that Craig Berube may have impacted Joseph Woll's confidence after comments made earlier that are being pointed as a potential cause of his struggles.
Leafs reporter Luke Fox indicated on 'Leafs Morning Take' that Joseph Woll may have issue with the competition between himself and Anthony Stolarz, and Berube having said he'd like to go into the playoffs with the focus on one goaltender.
And it just so happens that Woll's worst two games happened immediately after Craig Berube talked to us in New York City and said, "You know what, going into the playoffs, I'd rather have one guy, and that's the usually the way I like to roll."
All of a sudden the pressure and the spotlight on the battle for this spot goes up, and Woll's first two starts since then haven't been great. - Luke Fox
Fox didn't say definitively that Woll was slighted by the ongoing battle between himself and Stolarz but speculates it could have gotten to him.
Woll has been very good for the Maple Leafs and shouldered the bulk of the workload this season when Stolarz was out with injury.
In 33 games played, he has a 21-12-0 record with a 2.78 GAA and a 905 SV%; a huge discrepancy from his play previous to Berube's comments.
But at the very least, Joseph Woll's recent performances have likely pushed what Craig Berube wants to be a one-man net come playoff time towards Anthony Stolarz as of right now.
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