Craig Berube Pushes Back on Killer Instinct Concerns as Maple Leafs Fall Short in Game 4
Craig Berube tried to shut down any potential rumors the Maple Leafs lack a killer instinct, while others could argue the team needed their top stars to show up.
Although the Maple Leafs are still in a good spot considering they are up 3-1 in the first round against Ottawa, they still had a bit of a reality check when it came to the playoffs on Saturday night. They couldn't pull out their third consecutive OT victory, but they were without one of their key players for half the frame.
While the team got some production from their other stars like John Tavares and Matthew Knies, it was an otherwise cold night from their other top stars; a surprising feat given how dominant they've been.
Toronto Lacks 'Killer Instinct'; Craig Berube Vehemently Disagrees
There was a lot of flak given to the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner afterwards, as debate surrounded whether or not they have the so-called 'killer instinct' that the best playoff teams have.
Analysts JD Bunkis, Sam McKee, and Justin Bourne all discussed the team on Bunkis' podcast after the game, and mentioned that both Matthews and Marner didn't have the chops to get it done:
You're begging them to have a killer instinct, and they weren't good tonight.
It's been a factor that has plagued the stars of the team for years, and while they aren't going to be perfect, they do need to make sure they close it down.
Craig Berube however was not too keen on hearing that his players can's shut it down, and that in the nature of the game, you're gonna win some and lose some; it's just some bad luck sometimes:
I don't think that was the case tonight. I thought our team played extremely hard and did a lot of great things. We gave up four shots in two periods.
We defended hard and played hard. Bounces go one way or another. I'm not too concerned about it. I thought our team was ready to go. We did a lot of good things tonight, and it just didn't work out.
We defended hard and played hard. Bounces go one way or another. I'm not too concerned about it. I thought our team was ready to go. We did a lot of good things tonight, and it just didn't work out.
While it may sound like a potential excuse about just being unlucky, Toronto did manage to keep Ottawa at bay, including a one-shot second period. The goal Anthony Stolarz let in during OT went through about six bodies before finding the net.
These things happen and while it's understandable to get frustrated that the Leafs didn't get the sweep, they were without John Tavares for half of overtime, and through the first four games their stars have a combined 17 points.
They'll be fine.
However if the team doesn't come out with their foot on the gas in Game 5, and they allow Ottawa to claw their way back, then an argument could be made that they can't finish things when they should.
But we have to wait until the end of the game Tuesday; otherwise it's a bit silly to jump the shark.
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