Craig Berube Reveals the Current Mood in the Maple Leafs Locker Room After Rough Week

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Chris Gerics
October 26, 2024 (3:56 PM)

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After a rough week which saw them lose two straight by a score of 11-3, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube revealed how the team has responded to their slump.

After coming in hot against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs looked completely lost and unmotivated against both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the St. Louis Blues. Costly defensive errors and a lack of production from their top line have led to the Maple Leafs to their 4-4-0 start during Craig Berube's first year as head coach.

Craig Berube has tried to entrench his style of play into the Maple Leafs, going so far as to write his own personal manta on the wall of the Maple Leafs practice arena.

So with the Leafs losing two in a row, and in humiliating fashion at that, it was questioned how the morale of the locker room would be, especially given how atrocious they have been. Well, Craig Berube cleared things up ahead of Saturday night's game against the Boston Bruins, stating the boys feel positive and understand they haven't played to their potential recently:

«Yeah, their spirit's good. In practice yesterday, we went over corrections with video, had conversations, and then got to work. The energy was strong, and the guys are ready to go tonight. They're disappointed too-no one's happy about not winning or playing well. They understand it, and they're facing a bit of adversity.»

It's definitely a positive sign to see the Maple Leafs haven't just sat there pouting about their failures and are instead working towards improving things they know need to be fixed. Both Auston Matthews and William Nylander have taken accountability for the slide, and it will be up to the Maple Leafs' captain to lead by example against the Bruins.

It's one thing to say you're feeling good and positive and energetic, but until fans actually see it on the ice, it's going to feel like another hollow promise. The highly anticipated rematch with the Bruins is one that is going to have more eyes than other games, and with Toronto already under such scrutiny; another bad game would create chaos for the team. A hot start with a few goals on prospective starter Jeremy Swayman would be just the recipe for a successful night in Boston.

Let's just hope the Maple Leafs don't get too complacent, or they'll have to deal with an irate Berube again.