Craig Berube proud of how Maple Leafs responded after six-game losing streak: ‘Good boost for our team’
Head coach Craig Berube expressed pride in how his team responded in the three games to lead into the break amid all the adversity they’ve faced.
“It’s a lot of confidence,” Berube told reporters after the win in Edmonton. “Coming up after the break, we have to be prepared and ready to go. We have some catching up to do here. Three wins going into the break is a good boost for our team, I’m proud of the team and how they competed on the road trip.”
Berube spoke favourably about his whole team, but gave a specific shoutout to defenceman Jake McCabe, who logged an assist and over 25 minutes of ice time in the win. The defenceman has been leaned on heavily for most of the season, especially without defensive stalwart Chris Tanev, which he noted in his media availability.
“He’s been excellent all year,” Berube said. “He’s had different partners throughout the season with Tanev being out. It doesn’t change his game, he just does all of the dirty work for us and goes up against top lines. He’s been excellent for us.”
With trade rumours swirling and the growing sense that the Leafs will be selling at the deadline for the first time in the Auston Matthews era, Berube stressed that his team can’t give into the noise from outside the dressing room. Each game has to carry one focus, which is winning games for the uniform they’re wearing.
“This is part of the game, right?” Berube said. “Even more so in Toronto. They understand that, I think. You can’t read all of it, you have to avoid it as best as you can. It’s hard, I know. I know it’s out there, and you’re going to hear and see it, but that’s part of being a good pro. Those are things that you have to put behind you and focus on what you need to do for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
The Maple Leafs will enter a break for the majority of February before returning to action on February 25 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.