The Maple Leafs Believe They’re Close — Something Still Isn’t Working

The Toronto Maple Leafs missed another opportunity to pick up two points on Sunday, but if you listened closely after the game to both Auston Matthews and Craig Berube, you heard one superstar and one head coach trying to convince themselves it’s closer than the standings suggest.

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Both Matthews and Berube spoke to the media following a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. There is certainly frustration. Neither is prepared to panic, however. Following their previous media scrums, where their message about where the team is mentally — both were on very different pages — Sunday night’s remarks brought a little more consistency.

Related: Something Isn’t Lining Up Between Matthews and Berube

“I really liked our game,” Berube said. “We had lots of chances and opportunities. It’s not going in right now, and that eventually wears on you.”

Matthews saw many of the same things. He pointed to improved play over the last two games, better puck possession, and quality looks that didn’t turn into goals.

Toronto generated offense, but didn’t finish. At the same time, it stung that they ran into a hot goalie and a strong opponent. When the third goal went against them, Berube admitted it was a setback they couldn’t recover from. One goal, as he put it, simply isn’t enough most nights.

The Maple Leafs Need To Grind Out A Win

“The frustrating part is you’re not getting rewarded,” Matthews said. “When you’re in a stretch like this, it’s about staying positive and continuing to grind it out.” The Maple Leafs’ captain emphasized sticking together and trusting that the bounces will eventually come.

This is where the coach and the player need to get back on the same page.

Berube hinted that the team, including Matthews, needed to get greasy. “Sometimes you’ve got to get around the net and score some greasy, dirty goals,” he said. “That message has been around forever.” Matthews is guilty of it, but others are too.

Toronto outshot its opponent, flipped the usual shot-share narrative, and still walked away empty-handed. Matthews tipped his cap to goaltender Jake Oettinger. Berube, meanwhile, focused on what’s missing. When chances don’t go in, he believes the guys need to change it up.

However, Berube cautioned against overanalyzing everything, especially when things aren’t going well. “When it’s not going in, you’ve got to be careful. You can’t nitpick every little thing. It’s a fast, reaction game.”

Maple Leafs Can’t Let Frustration Overtake Them

Both coach and captain acknowledged that the frustration is real. Everyone feels it. But neither sounded like someone ready to blow things up. “We’ve got to stick with what we’re doing and be predictable out there, like we’ve been lately. We want bounces. We want some luck. But you’ve got to earn them, and you’ve got to keep earning them. It doesn’t just happen,” said Berube.

“When you’re in a stretch like this, it’s about staying positive and continuing to grind it out. That’s all we can do right now, ” added Matthews. “We’re going to get those breaks. We’re going to get the puck to bounce our way. But right now, it’s a little bit of tough sledding.”

The Leafs have another matchup against Pittsburgh. They will try to right the ship and finally pick up a win. “We felt like we deserved more the last two games, but now we’ve got to get ready for Tuesday against Pittsburgh and come with the same attitude we’ve had the last couple of games.”

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