Craig Berube | Pre Game @ Buffalo Sabres | October 24, 2025

Craig Berube | Pre Game @ Buffalo Sabres | October 24, 2025

got more good status for tonight. He’s out tonight. Yeah. Possible to play tomorrow. Yeah, possible. We’ll see how he does today. But then yeah, Mervvis is in. What’s the key to kind of handling a couple of key losses on defense? One one is tough. Well, we all got to help out, right? I mean, uh simplify your game and you know, Buffalo’s good offensive team. They’re a good rush team. So, they got a lot of skill, but we’re we’re going to need, you know, guys are going to have to help out fiveman units and simplify the game. What are you going to be looking for from Matthews and kneelander to let you know that this is working? Well, I mean, I’ve seen them before. Like, you know, they I’ve used them quite a bit together this year and they’ve had some good shifts and some good stuff. I mean, it’s two skilled guys that uh you know, they know they know each other well. They know their game and how they play. So, um, you know, I I don’t know how I’m going to know. I’m just, you know, they they do their thing, right? They’re good players. And Bobby McMahon is playing well right now. Uh, I’ve liked Bobby um throughout the season so far. He’s skating well. He’s on pucks, physical. Um, so I just really like his speed on that line. So, you know, I think they’re going to they’ll be fine. Would the same approach kind of fit with N and JT or is there something more specific there that you want to see? Territorial game with that line for me. That’s what it’s all about. Um I think with you know JT is a guy that really, you know, when you get a territorial game in the offensive zone with him, um that’s where he does his work, right? He’s so heavy on pucks and strong and he makes little subtle plays and you know scores you know scores goals around the net area and inside that uh slot area. So I think you know with N get in there and help out for check and be strong on pucks and Machelli you know his game’s getting better in my opinion. He’s starting to see the ice better and making some plays. So you know that’s what I’m looking for with that line. What did you like in Phil’s game last year that kind of earned him that next man up you know? Yeah, he’s he’s done a good job of that coming in for us um in different situations last year throughout the season. You know, he’s an aggressive guy. He’s a big guy. You know, gets there with his skating, long reach, you know, he does he’s physical, block shots, you know, he’s simple with the puck. It’s in and out, right? You know, that’s his game. Robertson out. Robertson will be out tonight. So, what I know you mentioned that he he really popped in camp. How would you assess his first seven? Well, I think missed opportunities like, you know, he’s had some chance to score, just hasn’t, you know, he missed, you know, missed the shot, missed the net. You know, if it’s something like, you know, I made a decision just to take him out tonight and we’re playing back to back here. So, I mean, I, you know, Nikki, he’s going to I think he’s going to be fine. Like, you know, he’s just getting those opportunities. You know, he’s got to bury him or, you know, he’s just missing on him a little bit right now. That’s what I see with that. What do you want to see from Cowan coming back into the Yeah, just um kind of what he did um the first couple games he had a lot of energy. You know, I really like that young energy in there. Um just, you know, he’s got to be managing the puck and obviously he’s playing with two big guys out there that are going to be around the net and are going to be heavy and, you know, he’s just got to make sure he does a good job with the puck and plays with energy. You know, be responsible defensively. Do you think that will help him in this role compared to when he kind of had to jump into the like really difficult Yeah. Yeah. I know. I mean it I don’t think it was difficult for him. I think he he really liked the challenge of it. You know that’s the type of kid he is. So I don’t know if um you know his game really is going to change that much whether he’s playing with Austin Matthews or with Nick Wai. Do you see any similarities between Chain Don and Josh Don? Well, they’re they’re both power forwards, right? Um, you know, physical players, you know, they score they score greasy goals and take the body and pretty straightforward players, both of them. What have you seen from Carlo this season? And is there anything you’re looking for from him moving forward here with a little more responsibility with Um, I think he’s been fine, to be honest with I think he’s got some bad bounces and things that have not gone right for him out there. You know, puck goes in the net, but you know, I think he’s done what we asked him to do. I mean, he he’s like, you know, defends well and be hard around the net and kill penalties and do all that stuff, block shots. And I think with, you know, freeing up uh Morgan Riley, like, you know, he stays home for him and, you know, Morgan’s off to a good start.

Head Coach Craig Berube addresses the media ahead of tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

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