Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game @ Pittsburgh Penguins | November 29, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game @ Pittsburgh Penguins | November 29, 2025

just what looked to be the most complete game uh as a group in some time. What did you make of it? Yeah, it’s uh it’s been a long time coming, right? I think uh this just does nothing but build a lot of confidence for our group and and we needed that. It’s a good team over there and uh we had everyone going tonight. So, huge win. What led to it? I mean, just in terms of that connectivity or what was it from your vantage point that seemed everybody really dialed in? Um, it’s a good question, but I think everyone came ready to play and and like I said, they’re a good team and whenever you’re playing against, I mean, two of the best players in the world, obviously Sid and and Gino have been in the league for a long time and and I think no matter who it is in here, you always get up for guys like that. So, um, I think that kind of drives some energy in here and and overall we we literally had everyone going, so it’s great to see. How did you feel about your game? Uh, I think as a line we played good, created a lot. Obviously, Austin had had a big goal there. Um, had a lot of good lucks in the Ozone. Yeah. How difficult was it to have to sit one? Not going to answer anything about that. That’s uh that’s behind us now. So, we’ll focus on on the win tonight. It was huge. And um go from there. How about your goalie? Unbelievable. I mean, Beasty was great. He uh he’s been great all year. He uh you see him in practice and he’s a funny dude, but uh he works hard and and he locks in and he’s big body. So, um he he made some huge saves tonight. What’s about Dakota’s game tonight? It’s great to see. He’s he’s a big part of our group and such a big body that can move so well, so athletic and um I think uh that just builds confidence for him and every other individual in our group cuz we see a guy like that that’s competing like he was and winning every battle and drawing penalties, scoring goals. He really did it all. So, it’s great to see. There was a lot of talk about confidence before this one maybe being a little bit not where you wanted it to be, but this game does a lot for all of that, doesn’t it? Yeah, I think as a whole, we we’re always trying to find confidence when you’re when you’re struggling as as a um as a group like that, that’s that’s the person that goes. So, um simple hockey, get to the dirty areas, do the do the little things right. I mean, check well and and just keep skating and working hard. And I think we did that as a group. What do you notice about Oliver Larson during this this run? He’s on nine straight games with the point. Oh, is he really? Yeah. I mean, he’s always unbelievable. I’ve I mean I played with him since I came in the league, so I’m I’m his number one fan, but uh no, he’s he’s great human being, great teammate, great hockey player. We were talking to you the other day about not focusing on results because, you know, it’s confidence. So, just wanted to know when you do get results, do you feel a boost of confidence when it comes to your individual game? For sure. And I think when you win, no matter if you’re on the score sheet or not, it’s going to give everyone confidence because that’s what we play for. So, when you beat a good team like that, especially in our conference, it’s uh it’s going to drive everyone’s confidence up and got to get ready for a big test in Florida. Now, what about East? Uh, talk about confidence. I mean, he’s uh every game gets more and more. Um, I think he’s he’s making so many good plays and um he’s not he’s not worried about making mistake and I mean, mistakes are going to happen. I think you look at the one the power play where um you got Austin Matthews and Millie Knander and they’re dropping the puck to him. So, I think that gives you some confidence. And even though he turned that one over, he came down the next shift and made a great play. That’s that’s how you build um pretty rapidly. And he’s he’s playing outstanding right now. What can a game like that do for this team? Yeah, that’s uh that can be a confidence booster. Um we got to take that momentum and and keep it going to string a couple together here. What did that game do for you? It looked as though you were very involved in the teeth of the game. Yeah, I mean and that’s my goal every night and uh to finally have a game like that feels nice and uh once again just like got to keep it going now. That that is kind of your game what we saw tonight, right? Like little bit of everything there tonight from the physical side of it to the getting rewarded in so many different areas. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. It’s just uh you know making an impact in any way possible and um you know just uh you know fortunate to uh get one to go there but yeah try to be involved all over the ice. What unlocked it, do you think for you tonight? Helped you get to that next level? I mean, I think just you got to keep doing um your job, right? And and then you’ll you’ll get a result like that. I think it’s obviously been uh you know, not ideal to this point. Um so, uh to get that result, uh you know, means a lot. And now the importance in keeping it going is there. that hit you had on Dumba there. Like how much does a hit like that when you can hear the reaction from the crowd get you and the rest of the team into the game. Yeah, for sure. It’s we want to come out and be physical every game. So, uh to have something line up like that’s nice. Um you know, feels good to to get involved early and uh that’s what it was. Hard to land hits like that. What did you see? How did you do it? Uh yeah, it was just kind of a situation where they were coming out. So, it was either it was either pull back and um kind of wedge it or or go through them. And I went through him on that one. What do you make of Dennis’s work? Yeah, he was great. He was great back there and um every time we needed to save, he he came up with one. Um they had a a few uh you know, I guess we’ll say uh ice tilts in their favor and he stood tall for us back there. What’s it about Doy’s game coming off of scratch? Obviously, you can relate to it’s not easy and he produces two primaries this year. Yeah, it was great game by Dome. He uh obviously doesn’t feel good to be scratched. Um so a great response from him and um you know another game that he can build off of and keep it going here. What have you learned about Oliver Ecken Larson this year seeing him up close as a teammate? I played with him in Vancouver so I know about O’s game. Um but yeah, another guy that can really do it all and um you know he’s uh he’s been great all season. Yeah, obviously nice to, you know, score a couple goals and, you know, win with uh with quite a big lead, which we haven’t done in a in a long time. So, it’s nice and built some confidence here on the road trip. What’s the difference? What was I don’t know if it was about being connected or what was the difference why it was kind of spread around so much tonight? Yeah, I think the I mean, lines were, you know, clicking and being connected and I mean from the from the D to the forwards, I think everything was just, you know, flowing. um better. How worried were that you might not be able to play tonight? Oh, I felt fine. I mean, okay this morning, so I knew I was going to play this morning. What were you dealing with the last 48 hours or so? I mean, nothing you need to worry about. Um, what do you see on the setup for for the goal for East there? Yeah, I mean, he just gave me a great pass, but I felt like, you know, challenge out hard on me, so just give it back. So, I didn’t open it. Can’t be easy to get healthy scratched. What’ you make of Max Stony’s game tonight? Yeah, he played great. I mean, two really nice plays on those uh on those goals and you know, it’s what happens when you get uh scratched, you come back with maybe, you know, a little bit more fire. Um and he did a great job. Talk to you about Dakota’s game tonight. Yeah, I mean everybody was, you know, I think that’s what I’m saying. Like everybody had a great team game and everybody was clicking. So, um yeah, we just could build off of that. Any concern Oliver left early? Ah, he said he’s fine to me. So, he’s leading all NHL Swedish defenseman in scoring and I’m wondering how much consideration you think he should get for the Olympic team. Yeah, a lot. I mean, he’s been playing great. So, just got to keep it up. I think it felt good. I got a good start there. Couple goals from the guys there. Uh, uh, and turned into a good game overall, I think. it. You hadn’t obviously played in some time, so to get in as a starter, I should say, but you haven’t started in some time, but just the idea of kind of getting in against some pretty talented Penguins on the other side, how did feel like a comfortable regular start for you? Uh, it’s a little different obviously. You kind of have to remind yourself of what you’re usually doing before a game even. Uh but uh once you get out there, you know, I think it’s more about like just the practices ahead of it and try and make it as competitive as possible. Like see every practices a game, you know, uh which would help, but it’s it’s obviously harder, but the guys played really well and helped out there, I’d say. What was it like? What was it like to face Crosby Malcolin for the first time and Eric Carlson and Eric Carlson and it was a lot of fun just just seeing him obviously and we had some good success against them too which which uh just makes it even more fun. Do your teammates have talked up how hard you work in games practice? I mean what did it mean to get rewarded with a result and a win? Uh feels good. Uh, I mean I think as a team we’ve uh he’s trying to imitate my language. Is he anything? He’s funny. Uh, what was I saying? We have uh what was your question? Sorry. Oh yeah. It feels good. But I feel like I think the entire team feels the same way about that. We’ve been working hard and and today we got it resolved which which we’re very pleased with and me myself too. What about the in front of you? Just defense. It seemed like everybody was really connected tonight and I’m sure you felt that from your vantage point just the amount of buying in front of you. 100%. I thought I thought we played great. uh tons of blocked shots and box outs and just being there checking their sticks. They had a lot of back door plays, but they were on top of it. Uh back shaking and yeah, from forwards too, obviously. So, I think it was a great team performance tonight. It was fun watching and playing in it too. What do you appreciate about Oliver Ecman Larson playing behind him? What do you like? uh such a good player. Um always like helps out a lot and speaks me in Swedish which is nice and uh just keeps me uh keeps me in the game and keeps me positive. Helps out a lot in that way too. And yeah, just unreal player too which always helps myself as a goalie and the team in general. ask you about another sweet uh William, you know, he freezes the goalie to set up East there. Like give me a goalie’s perspective of how hard it is to to read this guy. He’s got so many assists this year. Yeah, I mean if Willander comes down and by the hash marks like loading for one timer. I think every goalie in the league will freeze, you know. But yeah, it was great great pass and that’s just what it does, I guess. Like confidence. I thought, you know, we talked about puck possession, a little more play making and and and we did that tonight. So, a lot more entries and and and making some things happen and uh got rewarded for it. What did you make of the way Dakota responded tonight? Yeah, I mean, I thought he had a lot better game in Wash, too. So, but he had a big hit early and then um you know, like I said, he scores his goals and tight and he got one tonight and that line was good. big heavy line. They were good on the forward check. They possessed pucks down low and they got two goals for us. Max gave you the response. Yeah. I thought Max was a lot better tonight. Made some nice plays, but he was engaged in the game. You know, just on some forward checks, taking the body, winning a puck battle, you know, just defensively working back to our zone, breaking plays up. You know, he was good. What happened? Um a little upper body. I I you know I’m hoping he’s fine. I I don’t know yet, but we’ll evaluate him tomorrow and I think he’ll be okay, but we’ll see. What has he shown you during that like nine game point streak? What do you appreciate about what he’s bringing to the table right now? He brings a lot. I mean, O is a versatile guy back there for us. The way I, you know, he he’s playing the right, playing, you know, he moves around, plays with different partners. It depends, you know, on the situation, left or right. And then um just adds just a variety of things. He’s uh you know he he plays physical and he’s he’s got a good stick and he provides offense. You know, he’s got a good shot and can make plays. Considering Willy’s you know health and what did you make of the way he played? Yeah, overall good. I thought that line did some really good things with the puck tonight. you know, um you know, Cowan and JT like they made a lot of good plays and um they scored a nice goal. I mean, um you know, Willie Willy’s a gamer. I mean, he’s he’s not going to miss too many games if he can help it. Like, he he gutted through it and I thought he he did a lot of good things with the puck tonight. The way things have been going, just such a decisive win, you know, not doesn’t have to go to overtime, any of that. What can that do for the group, do you think, on this trip? Well, I think what it does, like we talk about the confidence level. There was a lot of secondary scoring tonight, which is good for our team. We need that and it’s not just on three guys or whatever that have been putting points up. So, it’s good that we get the secondary scoring. I really liked our D tonight. I thought they were very good. They moved the puck well. They defended well. We protected our net pretty well. Uh, if they got shots, a lot of them are from, you know, angles and outside, which is good. We protected the interior of the ice tonight. Um, you know, it’s confidence. You know, it’s they’re going to feel good about themselves and that’s good. And we just got to build off it and we got to keep getting better, though. We can’t, you know, there’s things that we can do better and we got to keep working on it. That’s it’s all part of it. But, um, I really I like the way we move the puck tonight better. We possess the puck more tonight, which is good. You knew the Penguins would push. What did you think of the way your goalie responded to? No, the goalie was great. I thought he made a lot of good big saves for us and uh you know he really looked calm in that not playing for a while you know he he looked really calm in net and you know played the puck well you know if he didn’t have an out he ripped it around the wall like he was he was good he was solid and did a real good job in net for us tonight he’s been limited to back to backs and relief appearances but with the way he’s playing do you think he’s kind of earning the confidence that maybe it takes him in more than than we’ve seen well we’ll see where our goal attending situation is. But for sure, I mean, that’s, you know, he’s he’s a young guy, but he’s grown in a year for me a lot, you know, um like even coming into camp this year, I thought he had a real good camp and um got got a good future ahead of him.

Players and Coach speak with the media following the Leafs 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

0:00 – Max Domi
3:04 – Dakota Joshua
5:24 – William Nylander
7:05 – Dennis Hildeby
10:33 – Craig Berube

SUBSCRIBE: https://tml.hockey/3FvgtoG
FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontomapleleafs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapleleafs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs
#Leafs #LeafsForever #TorontoMapleLeafs