Craig Berube Voices Frustration With Auston Matthews Line: 'I'm Getting Tired of It'
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube let loose after another loss, and is seriously fed up with the lack of consistency and production from his top line.
A lifeless showing from the majority of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night led to an embarrassing 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils that also included a very scary injury to defenseman Chris Tanev, who might be out for an extended period.
They were outdueled, they were completely outgunned, and whatever Anthony Stolarz had issues with previously, they are certainly not going to be over after this performance.
But it was the top line that really didn't look great. Auston Matthews was completely invisible, having one good scoring chance all night, meanwhile Matthew Knies and Max Domi were fine, but not anywhere near the caliber expected of a top line performer.
Berube Calls Out Auston Matthews Line for Lack of Sustained Pressure
Craig Berube's thrown everything at the wall and nothing has stuck, and things are getting very tiresome for the head coach and he did not hold back regarding his exhaustive efforts to try and spark some offense.
Speaking to reporters post-game, Berube mentioned the top line was not good enough, hasn't been good enough, and he's at his wit's end:
It's obviously not good enough. I don't feel like they have any sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
I'm getting tired of it to be honest with you.
I'm getting tired of it to be honest with you.
Berube has a point, as Toronto is consistent at one thing this year: being bad in their own end. They can't clear the puck to save their life, and more often than not they get caught for 1:30-2:00 minute shifts; that's unsustainable for any coach.
For perspective, Matthews is spending 42.3% of his time on the ice spent in his own zone, with only 40.8% in the offensive zone. That's both less than the 50th percentile of the league; so he's not helping at either end.
Also, Matthews is spending an absurd 25.7% of his power play time in his own zone. What? How is the world's top goal-scorer spending a quarter of his prime scoring time chasing pucks or resetting the offense?
Toronto has used five different players up front to replace Mitch Marner and none of them have really worked: Matias Maccelli, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, William Nylander and Easton Cowan have all gotten looks; even Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Robertson have too.
No one has felt or looked comfortable next to Matthews, and it might be time to make a drastic change.
At least some fans think so.
Leafs Fans React Strongly Online After Berube's Fiery Comments
The general sentiment around the team is that Matthews and company have not been good, and that Craig Berube needs to make some type of drastic change.
Some are mentioning that perhaps a certain Vegas winger certainly helped out with Matthews' line and truly drove the offense.
A key request that fans want is that Matthew Knies ends up sliding down in the lineup while William Nylander is elevated considering he's really been the only hot hand this season.
Whatever Berube decides to do, he needs to do it quickly because while it's only seven games into the season, a poor showing against Buffalo of all teams is going to make that hand hovering over the panic button slam down.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Craig Berube are at a loss as to where to go next, and there's some serious reflecting and changes that need to be made.
They haven't hit rock bottom just yet, but they are one slip away from a complete free fall to the basement.
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