Maple Leafs Dodged a Bullet with Craig Berube's Questionable Decision in Overtime
The Toronto Maple Leafs came out of Washington with a 4-3 comeback win in OT, but Craig Berube could have lost easily due to his choice of David Kampf in extra time.
The Toronto Maple Leafs came into Washington off a dismal showing against the Ottawa Senators and looked just as lifeless through two periods of hockey. Something changed though, as Toronto was a team possessed and not only outshot the Capitals but managed a wild last minute comeback courtesy of Mitch Marner:
Toronto entered the extra frame, but one thing stuck out like a sore thumb as David Kampf earned center duties for Craig Berube against Alex Ovechkin and company. It was a bizarre decision that could have easily cost Toronto the game.
So Why Did Berube Decide To Use David Kampf?
Well, I don't know really. The obvious solution would be to win faceoffs and provide more of a defensive role to try and neutralize Alex Ovechkin but that's like trying to stop a moving train with Styrofoam. Toronto could have been exposed badly and left without a chance to even respond.
In a 3-on-3 overtime, the amount of space created by fewer players means that players who command the most space, energy, and skill tend to line up as it gives them more of a chance to work on the ice. Kampf is a solid faceoff guy but he's no offensive dynamo and putting a weaker player on the ice in sudden death leaves no room for error.
Craig Berube seemed to smarten up a bit when it came to his OT lines as he took Kampf off in favor of John Tavares who ended up scoring the overtime winner after a marvelous save by Joseph Woll on Ovechkin.
If Berube wanted to give Toronto fans a mini panic attack, they did so by putting Kampf out there. It didn't cost them in the end, but your team is trying to win the game as quickly as possible. We aren't cycling pucks, we aren't waiting for the extra pass; one wrong move and it's game over.
David Kampf has a place on the Maple Leafs by killing penalties, winning faceoffs, and being a solid piece of Toronto's bottom six. Unfortunately, Craig Berube cannot play him in overtime.
| POLL | ||
Do you agree with Craig Berube's choice to play David Kampf in OT? | ||
