Craig Berube Speaks Out After Entire Leafs Team Skips Practice

Coming off a big 6-2 win against the Calgary Flames, the Maple Leafs face off against the Colorado Avalanche as they try to get their momentum rolling again, and need to make a statement after a brutal 7-4 drubbing at the hands of the Avs last time around.

Craig Berube isn't changing the lineup, as he feels he doesn't need to fix what's not broken (at least yet), and is confident that his team can come out strong, especially if Auston Matthews can play at the level he did on Monday.

But ahead of their game against Colorado on Wednesday, the team held an optional practice, but it seems like the players took that optional part very seriously, as it was revealed that only a handful of players skated this morning.

Nobody from the playing roster took place, with Max Domi only stepping on the ice for a couple minutes. The three skaters who were present were Philippe Myers, David Kampf, and Anthony Stolarz; with only Stolarz set to play as a potential backup to Joseph Woll.

But Craig Berube wasn't upset at the lack of appearance from his roster, and recognized their schedule is a huge factor, and guys just need rest:

The roster seems focused on being as rested as possible before each game, and don't expect a huge turnout from any optional skates for at least the rest of the month as the team buckles down.

If missing out on practice means the team is going to play like they did against the Flames, then they need to do so more often. It was a complete turnaround from the last week and a half, with a complete effort from all aspects of the team, including both penalty kill and power play units going off.

Their schedule isn't as bad as it was earlier in the year, and they do face some weaker opponents, but they still have two back to backs this month, and seven games in 12 days.

The players can only handle so much, so hopefully they can weather the March madness, and find themselves a bit more comfy come April.

We'll see how the extra rest helps the Maple Leafs as they take on the ever dangerous Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night; puck is scheduled to drop at 7PM ET.