Craig Berube's post-win speech showed exactly what this Leafs team is missing
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs/X
Craig Berube is showing some positivity for his club after a much-needed Toronto Maple Leafs win.
After a hard-fought 2-1 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets in which both teams went two periods without a goal, Toronto avoided their past issue of defensive lapses that have hurt them in previous games.
William Nylander scored the OT winner, after earlier in the period being shown in a tense exchange with Berube while at the Leafs bench.
Nylander spoke on that conversation with Berube after the game, not providing any details but saying the two were "on the same page" regarding what was said.
Toronto leapfrogs the Buffalo Sabres out of last place in the Eastern Conference, but the Leafs still remain outside the playoff picture as it stands, but by just four points for the last postseason spot.
Berube had some praise for his team's effort after the team's win, calling it an important victory for the group.
Inside Craig Berube's post-win message to the Leafs room
Craig Berube gave credit to the Leafs for fighting back against Columbus and pushing through a tight, low scoring game, and not letting it get away from them.
Berube called "confidence" as a way forward for Toronto to be able to win, and praised the team for staying confident and not letting up.
That's a big [expletive] win for us. That should instill confidence. We're better than that. We all know that, okay, we're gonna keep getting better here. That's a great win to start the road trip. Really good job by you guys. Way to hang in there. Wait, a hang in there, and we finish it off. - Craig Berube
Joseph Woll received the team player of the game belt, praised for his effort in the win as key to keeping calm against the Columbus offensive attack, which had been a problem for Toronto in the past.
What Berube's message says about where this Leafs team is at this moment in the season
Craig Berube said that the Toronto Maple Leafs are a better team than their record shows them to be, and the group expects more from themselves.
Injuries have hampered Toronto's ability to have a full lineup consistently, which has challenged the Leafs ability to compete and be at 100% health, something they're still without on the defensive end.
With what is one of their most complete lineups fielded with Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, & Nicolas Roy all having returned against Columbus, the goal now for Toronto is to use their healthier lineup to stabilize themselves, and Craig Berube has a clear belief that they can.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will need to take their win and work themselves back up into the playoff hunt, and as Craig Berube says, confidence will take the Leafs a long way if they can move past how the season began.
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