Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game vs. San Jose Sharks | December 11, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Post Game vs. San Jose Sharks | December 11, 2025

Last one, what was the difference in your mind tonight? I mean, it could have gone either way, honestly. I mean, I thought uh played a pretty solid game. Um, you know, you tie the game late, it’s always um, you know, it’s always a battle there those last couple minutes, especially uh, five on six and they were able to find a way through to tie it. So, um, you know, could have gone could have gone either way. It’s tough getting on the wrong side of it, but um, I thought there was a lot of good things that we did today. tough to see Oliver from that way. Kind of what goes through your mind when you see him. Yeah, it’s never fun to, you know, see anybody go down like that. So, I don’t know what the extent is or anything, but obviously you hope for the best for for him and that’s not too serious cuz uh you know, he’s been playing great for us lately and he’s a big part of our team, a big part of our back end and um you know, a guy that brings a lot of experience to to our group. So, uh definitely hoping for for the best. What kind of boost can you take Austin on the power play goal? not only that you guys scored one, but the manner in which you did score the pass to you and the quick release. Yeah, it’s good. I thought uh you know, we had some good looks tonight. Thought we were moving it quicker. Um shooting pucks and those pucks were getting through and creating good chances. So, um it’s always nice to see one go in. I think it gives gives the the power play a bit of a boost uh and special teams a bit of a boost. And so, um, we just want to continue to stay, uh, you know, stay diligent on all that and continue to move forward and and pausing momentum for the power play. This this results decided, what have you seen from defensively the last 10 12 games with you guys to sort of clean everything up and just the middle of the line? Yeah, I think it’s been good. I mean, I think uh it’s a testament the last uh three, four or five games. Um, we’re obviously getting some great goalending, but I think as well as the defensive side of it. Um, you know, we’re playing in pretty low low scoring games, uh, as of late and, um, you know, that’s a good sign for our group. Uh, you don’t want to give up much. I thought, you know, it was obviously a bit of a struggle early on in the season. So, um, you know, the fact that, uh, we’ve made progress in that department and it’s, you know, showed true for the last, uh, week, 10 days, two weeks, uh, whatever you want to call it, uh, it’s been good for our group. So, definitely got to stay on top of that. What impression did Henry Than make on you tonight? Yeah, he was good. I I don’t think he looks out of place when he’s out there. He’s got great poise with the puck. Um he can play either side. He’s got good skill. Um yeah, he didn’t look out of place at all. I thought he made good plays and uh definitely a guy that can move the puck back there. What was the experience like for you here tonight? Yeah, you know, it was uh obviously exciting to be able to get in the lineup and and uh get a chance to be out there and compete. Obviously wasn’t the result we wanted. Um it’s unfortunate. um you know he played a win so tough uh tough ending there but it was exciting for me. How did you find your comfort level? Yeah. Um I thought it was fine. Uh you know the game moves so much faster um at this pace. So you know it took me uh took me a minute or two I think defensively and then uh puck movement thought it was fine. Couple plays in the second that wanted back but overall that was fine. What allows you to play the the offside and be effective when it can be a challenge for a lot of guys? Yeah, I think it’s just a lot of uh scanning and knowing what’s coming at you before you get the puck. You know, game moves so fast that if you don’t really know where you’re going with it, um you’re probably going to run into trouble. Um so just try to look look around a lot, know where I’m going before I get the puck. How would you describe your emotions considering the opponent? Yeah, never done that before. That was obviously unique thing. Um just fired up. Um you know, want to compete against anyone, but especially against those guys. uh a lot of familiar faces and uh like I said just trying to help the team win and it was obviously uh not the result we wanted but personally it was it was uh yeah little little bit extra gear playing those guys said that he’s unbelievable um you know kept us in it uh a couple key moments um and you know what they had 32 shots 33 shots so not much more you can ask out of him looked like Ryan Re was having a chat with you there at one point what was he saying to you We’re just talking about the game. What was the most notable moment for you with a former teammate, whether it was an eye contact or a moment on the ice? Uh, nothing too uh too unique, I don’t think. You know, a couple body checks that uh, you know, I think in maybe in training camp is uh probably one of the few times you really, you know, have a full body check on one of your teammates. So, it was pretty unique to to hit some guys like that. Uh, but nothing that really stood out to me. And uh what do you see as the difference in the game tonight? Uh difference in what or the win and loss. Why San Jose was able to come out on top? Uh hard to say. Tight game. I mean OT lost. So uh not sure how to analyze it this this shortly after but I mean yeah tight game. You you made a save behind the back with your glove there at the end of the third. What did you see on that? Let’s see. Uh no, I mean little lucky there. I think Cber was there if if I wouldn’t have caught it, too. So, but no, I just saw hit my blocker and off his butt and just Yeah, I don’t know. Desperation worked out that time. Tell us, what have you seen from the guys defensively in front of you? Were they really starting to own the middle of the ice a little bit more than they would have at the beginning of the year? 100%. Yeah, I mean, we talked about this. I think this past few games have been really good and I think it’s showed them the results, too. And uh helps me a lot and yeah, it’s fun playing right now in front of these guys. They do a great job. on the over time on the overtime going through. You’re a bit unlucky though cuz you were a shot. Yeah. I don’t know. Haven’t seen where it squeaked through if it was. But yeah, I know. Yeah. No, I I I made the initial save, right? A bit unlucky that it ended up right in his skate, but I mean it happens. I guess what goes through your mind when Oliver leaves with that injury? Uh, I mean, never found see a player or a teammate go down. Just hope for the best, I guess. How important has he been to this team this year? It’s really important. So, yeah, let’s just hope for the best. What did you see on the Deandria penalty shot in the first? Did you make any sort of adjustments from from the shootout the the other night in terms of playing that? Uh, no, not too many. I mean, just trying to remind myself of just battling and like trust trust myself in that that sequence and yeah, worked out there. William, how did you assess the team here tonight? Uh, yeah, I thought we, you know, generated a lot of chances, played a pretty good game. Um but yeah, they were able to come out on top. Just how big of a loss will Oliver be if he can’t come back? So yeah, obviously played uh you know, unbelievable this season and to see another one of our, you know, main D go down is obviously tough, but I mean thought thunder did a great job today. So I mean we got guys that, you know, want to step up and help the team. Stood out to you about th tonight? Yeah, made great plays. Hard, physical, got plays stopped. Um, did a great job. You guys get you guys get the result you want tonight, but what’s been the difference the last two, three weeks defensively? Is it the commitment? Is it understand the structure more? What’s what’s been the difference? Uh, I think we did a little switch in our structure. So, I think that’s helped us. Feels like you’re capable of more power play goals. the way you scored tonight. That passes cost. I mean, we’re due for one. I feel like we haven’t scored one in a long time, but yeah, we should be able to score uh way more on the power play, but you know, that was a confidence builder and I thought we moved the puck pretty well today. Could have had a few, so it’s good. How’ you like playing with Nick? Yeah, I thought they played great. Um, thought we had a lot of chances tonight. Um, so it’s a positive thing. I mean, if we would have scored a couple more, we would have won. But yeah, I thought we played a good game. You talked about wanting to get kind of that hunger to get to the net more. Did you feel kind of normal yourself tonight? Uh, yeah. I mean, I shooting a little bit more field, but yeah. Did you make the effort that Dennis held tonight? I played amazing tonight. Uh, another really good game. Craig, how’d that one get away from you? Yeah. Third period, we weren’t to me, we didn’t come out and dictate how to play the game, turn pucks over, passive, you know, we didn’t uh finish them off in my opinion. How’s how’s Oliver lower body right now? Um, too like I I got you got to be re-evaluated tomorrow and we’ll know exactly the length of it. How would you describe how important he’s been to your team this year? Oh, he’s been great. Could be missed. Yeah. Hopefully it’s not too bad, but he’s been he’s played great hockey for us. You have an update on Carlo? Did he have surgery? Yeah. You know when he’s going to be back? Well, I was at the time they thought about a month. Yeah. So, when was that? I don’t I can’t remember. We’re we’re on the road, I think, when it happens. So, make a head when you lose one defenseman after another defenseman after another defense. No, it’s tough for sure. Um, critical position. We all know that. Um, yeah, it’s it’s the way it is. So, need another guy to step up, play. I thought he was good. You know, it’s uh playing his offside, too. It’s like, you know, first game, but I thought he handled himself well tonight. I didn’t like the third period, but just generally speaking, defensively and the way the group has sort of come together last 10, 12 games, what have you seen? Is it is it systemwise? Is it commitment? Well, it’s a little both. Commitment systems just, you know, I I still think we’re not where we need to be. We can be better. And um third period, you know, for me showing that like goalie out, you know, we have an opportunity to get the puck out a couple times. we don’t do it. You know, it’s things like that that cost us tonight in the game. The way the the way the power play goal is scored, the the pass by Willie and then the shot by Austin. You look at that and think, where’s that? Well, the whole the power play tonight in general was good. Yeah. I mean, they moved it and shot it and moved it and shot it and things opened up and the scene finally opened up and they took advantage of it. I know you made changes because of Bobby situation, but what do you think of Willie? Well, he was it’s the best game I’ve seen him play in a while. you know, he was engaged. When I see him skating and handling the puck and keeping the puck and doing things he did tonight with the puck, um, I know he was ready to go. Is there more of a green light for Tanov to get more involved now or today coming out? Tanv, yeah, that that decision will be made in the next day or so on him.

Head Coach and players speak with the media following the Leafs’ 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

0:00 Auston Matthews
2:27 Henry Thrun
4:33 Dennis Hildeby
7:03 William Nylander
8:57 Craig Berube

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