Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game vs Chicago Blackhawks | December 16, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game vs Chicago Blackhawks | December 16, 2025

Well, uh, maybe just take us through that wild sequence and I don’t know what, you know, kind of got that turn around going, but maybe take us through your walk. >> Oh, yeah. Just a a good dump in on net and then the D was kind of in between and I just was able to beat him to the puck and got that one to go. >> When a game was kind of starting to go the way it was and then all of a sudden the switch gets flipped, what what causes that? What did this group kind of know that it could still hang in there? >> I mean, I think it’s just momentum swings that happened every game. um you know, got to believe that’s that you can come back and that was a big two points that we needed there. So, it was uh nice to see us come together and uh squeeze it out. >> How would you explain the first period? >> Uh I I mean it wasn’t a bad start. We were we were on it. It felt like the first couple minutes and then the second half they kind of took over there and um you know just we weren’t on our toes and and you could see that and they they took it to us there and uh got the lead. What was the message from that? >> Uh just the self-inflicted wounds like we were we were doing it to ourselves. Um you know, too many turnovers and that that can’t happen and u yeah, we just got to be better. >> Was there any message going into the third period or did anybody speak up on the bench midway through the third? >> Um I mean, yeah, going into the third it was, you know, we need to play like the desperate team. um you know, if we played our game, we knew that we we could come back and um yeah, it was kind of a a group effort. A lot of guys talking and and then after uh we got that first one to go, you could kind of feel it. Everybody uh was into it and and uh we came back. >> What’s going through your mind when you score a goal at such a big time in the midst of such a crazy comeback and late in the game and how important it was for the game? >> Yeah, it was uh you know, great to be on that side of it. uh obviously happens really fast, so uh you know there’s there’s not a lot going through your head, but uh uh yeah, really nice feeling. >> What about Austin’s goal? How much overconfidence boost was it to see him pull that one off? >> Yeah, that was a really nice goal. Um you know, he’s a great player and is capable of making those plays. So, uh to see him come through for us was huge. >> What kind of lesson can you take from a game like this? Just being able to come back from down three nothing. I think it’s more of a lesson that you know when we’re playing our game that things go the right way and when we’re not on our game uh it goes the wrong way. So I think pretty pretty simple lesson and um you know once again I think it’s you know cliche but it’s a full 60-minute game and and that’s what we need to to win. >> How much were you sensing the crowd’s frustration tonight especially given the start of the game? >> Yeah I mean you know if I was a fan I wouldn’t have been too happy with the performance either so uh you know no surprise there. Uh but uh at the end of the day, nice to to pull that one out for them. >> Does that motivate the group in any way when you hear that? >> Yeah, for sure. No one wants to get uh you know, boot in their own building, but at the same time, you know, they they have every right to to feel that way uh with what we were putting out there. So, um you know, glad we could fix it for tonight and we got to keep it keep it moving. >> How do you describe a game like that when it starts the way it did and then the way it ended? >> Yeah, I mean it’s obviously it’s a nice win. I don’t think uh I mean I think other than maybe the last 10 minutes of the first period I thought we played you know pretty pretty solid. I think it just uh got away from us there after 10 and um couple bad breaks and I just think we stopped taking care of the puck and um turnovers were obviously an issue but you know I thought the second period we we at least played harder, competed harder. There wasn’t really much going on but um you know it’s nice that you know we come in the locker room and you know guys are staying positive. We’re holding each other accountable. just got to go out there and compete a little bit harder and um you know play the right way, keep things simple and I thought we just grinded out that third period and we’re able to get a couple goals and tie it up and then obviously um you know Dak finished it off there. >> Oliver looked really fired up when he scored in the collection on the ice. Was he vocal on the bench when he got back to keep the boys rolling? >> I don’t know. I know it’s a long way down from the D and the forward, but um you know, he’s talked about him earlier last week, I think, but I mean, he’s been playing great for us and um you know, it’s a big goal. I think going into the third period, we like the momentum that we were creating. Just obviously couldn’t really get much offense going, but um you know, just kind of get one and um you know, see what happens. Try to get another one. Obviously, it happened a little bit quicker than you’d expect, but um you know, the first one’s always huge. >> Austin, what did you see on your goal? Do you feel that there was a confidence boost after you scored that one? >> Yeah, I mean I mean Willie made a great great play just foreing the the defenseman um staying on top of them and then just a really nice poke check and then I just kind of walked out and just try to find an area to put the puck. But um obviously um you know the bluebirds were coming down rightfully so and um you know I think after that first that first goal the you know the crowd really got into it which was great and and then after the second one um the place was rocking. So, and then after the third one even more. So, um it was just good to get that one and um obviously good for the power play as well. And um nice way to finish off the game. >> You put the hand to your ear, you gesture to the crowd, but what’s going through your mind when there’s such emotional >> Not much to be honest, just excitement and um it’s just kind of all in the moment. You’re not really thinking too much, I guess. >> Joe, how did that feel to get back in that come away with a win? >> Yeah, it was awesome. Um, that was pretty cool how the building erupted after the third goal, too. That’s the loudest I’ve heard in in a while. That was pretty sweet. Um, it’s awesome when the fans get into it like that. It was I’m sure pumped everyone up. So, yeah, it’s a big win. Big comeback for us. >> How’d you feel to start the game? Nerves or? >> Um, yeah. I mean, I think nerves are natural anytime you’re playing and um, as the game went on, I think I settled in more and felt more comfortable. >> What did you make of the group overall in this game outside of the comeback there at the end? Yeah, I mean stuck to our game. I thought we had a lot of good ozone time. Thought we had a good process. I think, you know, we did a great job limiting them to um their chances and um yeah, it comes down to the end like that and um you know, if you play the right way, you get rewarded. So, I was happy to see the results go that way. >> Joe Oliver had another big moment here tonight. What stands out about the level he’s playing at right now? >> Yeah, he’s playing a ton for us and it’s it’s great to see. Um, you know, he’s a great dude and um, very skilled defenseman, but uh, you know, he’s he’s he’s good at both ends and um, it’s great to have him out there a lot. >> Hey Joe, the just lock go being big in the end. What did you see or feel on that play as being tossed in there in the first period that was called? >> Oh, um, yeah, I think it was the right call. You can’t push the goalies pads and push the puck in. So on my pads, yeah, it’s covered. Did you tell the coach that happened or did they make the call on the bench that you’re in with? >> No. No. I think, you know, we have unbelievable video guys back here and they’re watching everything. Um like Hawkeye back there. So, um yeah, I trust them to make the call whether or not we challenge something or not. You know, they’re they’re dialed in. So, um >> yeah, it was it’s good challenge, right call. >> How do you describe that game? >> Uh it was a weird one. Uh, I thought, uh, we were a little bit stubborn in in the first trying to go through five guys and and turning a lot of pucks over. Um, but thought the second was better and obviously coming out and and played a good good third and and great comeback. >> What’s different, I guess, when you third? Was it something somebody says? Was it something everybody did? No, I think we talked about it after the first a little bit uh to get uh pucks behind her D and and go to work and and be on them a little bit more. Um thought we did uh did that a little bit more in the third and and not passing up a lot of chances that we had. Uh so that was a nice win. >> How did your goal just change the belief of the group that they could come back? No, obviously um it’s it’s good to get that first one on on the board and um yeah, I thought uh uh Tony made a good play there and and Willie went to the net and I I don’t think he saw it and I got lucky. I think it touched uh two of their players. So uh uh but I’ll take it. Uh so it’s always nice to score. >> A lot of compliments from your teammates about the way you’re playing right now. What do you like about your game at the moment? just trying to help anyways really. Um trying to defend hard, trying to to make plays when when I have to. Um sometimes it works, sometimes it don’t. So uh but yeah, I think uh just trying to get the the team feeling good. Um trying to win games really. So um don’t really focus on about my game a lot really. >> What’s going through your mind in the moment there at the end? You’re battling all game, not getting anything going and then finally you get two and nine to take the lead. What goes through your mind services? >> No, I think that’s why you kind of you build your game throughout the game. Um just doing the right things. It adds up. Uh and that’s why we want to get the puck deep to to make it hard on their defenseman and and uh I thought it paid off at the end and and it’s a big win. >> Having said having said that, why is the 460? I mean, we’re playing against the other team, too. They’re trying to to break us down. Uh, but with that being said, I think, uh, we got to be a lot better in the first. Um, especially at home. >> During the, uh, the video review thing, the camera’s got Craig >> just really yelling at you guys. What’s it like as a player when the coach is that sort of loud and angry? >> No, I think it’s great. He’s uh, invested obviously and he wants uh wants the team to do good. So, uh I’ll be uh be uh scared if it wasn’t if if it wasn’t yelling and and and not caring. So, I think it’s great and and he he brings a lot of passion. I think we all know that and uh so it’s it’s great to see. Uh but obviously we know that we have to play better and and sometimes uh it’s good to hear it uh from from behind the bench too. >> Is this a night where you really sense the fans getting restless and how did it feel to turn it around at the end as far as the crowd went? No, I think they’re always great here. Um, they always have our support and and and wants us to to do good. Um, it’s high expectations and and we have that in that in this room as well. So, uh, it was great to to get a win for them. >> Greg, what’s the, uh, what’s your feeling on this game? I mean, such a terrible start for you guys. And >> Well, actually, this first part of the first period wasn’t a terrible start. It was actually a good start to the game. gave up a short-handed goal. Kind of it’s a tough one, but you know, second was a little better and third was our best period. Uh, which was great to see. Um, battle back. Um, thought our top line was really good tonight. >> Craig, you were pretty animated at one point early in the game with the bench. What was it that set you off? >> Oh, it could have been a number of things. I’m not sure exactly which one. the video review time while they were >> Yeah. Oh, well, just giving up a short-handed goal and then, you know, giving up a faceoff goal. These are this they shouldn’t happen. You know, they shouldn’t have. And then, you know, then like I mean, we get out muscled around our net. It’s just simple things. That’s why I was pissed off. Why? Why is a 60 still lucid? >> What’s that 60 lucid? Why is that still a factor? I don’t know like if it’s I think you know you watch games or teams I mean there’s momentum shifts in a game right and um but like you don’t need to break you can bend and but the mistakes the the the two or three mistakes we made early on in the game like that’s what upset you. >> What does it mean for >> there’s no need for it. What does it mean for your group to see your captain get on the board the way he did both on the power play and setting up? >> No, it was great. I mean, it’s it’s great to see and great for him and great for our team. Like I said, I thought that line drove play tonight, which what I wanted to see whether they scored or not. It’s like just control the game more than you have and drive play. And they did. I thought all three of them were pretty good tonight. What stands out about the way Oliver is playing right now? >> Who? >> Oliver. >> Yeah, I think uh his game’s been very consistent from the get-go. Um, you know, there’s no wasn’t there hasn’t been a lot of dips in his game and um been very consistent in defending, producing, all the things we ask of him. >> How about Joe Wall tonight? Yeah, great great to see him back in there and um he had a good game. I thought he got better as the game went along, a little more comfortable in there, but it was good to see that um he held us in there and we got a win. We got a win and um big part of it was him.

Head Coach and players speak with the media following the Leafs 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

0:00 Dakota Joshua
2:51 Auston Matthews
5:05 Joseph Woll
6:49 Oliver Ekman-Larsson
10:04 Craig Berube

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