Craig Berube will scratch when it itches, Maple Leafs are better for it

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Published Dec 03, 2025  •  2 minute read

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Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers faces off against Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Carmen Mandato /Getty ImagesArticle content

Craig Berube has gone from combustible to compassionate after delivering some tough love with some Maple Leafs.

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Two of the prominent forwards the coach made one-night healthy scratches a few games ago have responded well, Dakota Joshua with two goals and an assist through three games, Max Domi three assists in two appearances, restored on the first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

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The Leafs go for a third straight road win to wrap this six-game trek on Thursday in Carolina. Matias Maccelli, currently getting a longer timeout than the other two had, likely sits a third time.

“He’s handled it positively, he knows he has to be better,” Berube told media in Florida after Wednesday’s practice of the winger’s one assist in his previous eight games. “I put him in the Washington game (a late letdown 4-2 loss), there wasn’t a lot there and I thought he struggled.”

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Don’t expect Berube to tinker with a winning lineup now, which likely means Calle Jarnkrok must also wait for another turn somewhere up front. Matthews and Knies say they enjoy having Domi back, having played together this season as well as spending leisure time.

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“I think he handled it great,” Matthews said of Domi. “All the (scratches), they all understand. Everyone’s a big boy. You have to do with that (blow to the ego) what you can, take that feedback and use it to motivate.

“Dak’s been great. No one wants to get scratched, We’re fortunate to have a lot of guys who can play. Sometimes mixing guys up can light a spark.”

Knies noted that Domi “has been skating, working hard, making plays, taking the body – everything we need him to be.”

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Berube has some other issues, such as fine-tuning the five forward power play, which gave up a short-handed goal Tuesday in Florida during the 4-1 win, in part because of confusion in handling the Panthers on a turnover without an experienced blueliner. The coach chose not to cover special teams during Wednesday’s workout.

Berube said he might not wait until next week to get Dennis Hildeby another start in net after his win Saturday in Pittsburgh, which might set him up to play Thursday and give Joseph Woll two more divisional assignments against Montreal and Tampa Bay.

Lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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