3 takeaways from Leafs-Predators: Matthews, Nylander deliver another sub-par effort against NHL’s worst team

Presented with an opportunity to course correct against the NHL’s worst team, the Toronto Maple Leafs faltered down the stretch, losing 5-3 to the Nashville Predators. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube promised immense change, which amounted to Matias Maccelli and Philippe Myers re-entering the lineup, some power play amendments, and Easton Cowan moved up to the first line. Now, the Maple Leafs are forced with the uncomfortable reality, that they may have to move on from Berube, a year and a half into his tenure with the organization.

Brad Treliving was in attendance for tonight’s game

📽️: Sportsnet | NHL

It’s not completely on Berube, either. Auston Matthews and William Nylander once again made minimal impacts during Saturday’s loss, with both marquee players displaying crucial defensive mistakes. Toronto’s new-look third line of Nick Robertson, Nicolas Roy (scoring on the Leafs’ first shot of the game) and Bobby McMann showed some chemistry, Maccelli showed off some offensive opportunism, and Troy Stecher was solid once again, but these are small victories during a season where the Maple Leafs can’t settle for false positives.

John Tavares added the Leafs’ other goal, deflecting Matias Maccelli’s shot off his skate, before hitting Roman Josi’s skate, to give the Leafs a 2-1 lead. It was the high point of the game, as Adam Wilsby equalized, then Luke Evangelista scored a highlight-reel goal, dangling Morgan Rielly for a 3-2 Predators lead, and they never looked back. Steven Stamkos made it 4-2 on an empty-netter, McMann cut the deficit to 4-3, but Cole Smith added another empty-net marker to seal the game.

Another frustrating game where Matthews and Nylander weren’t close to good enough, this time against the NHL’s last-ranked team. Robertson, McMann, Joshua, McCabe and Stecher separated themselves from the rest tonight but searching for small victories, past that point.

Here are 3 takeaways from the Leafs’ 5-3 loss to the Predators: 

Matthews, Nylander fail to make an impact once againIf the Leafs are going to turn their season around and make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year, it starts with their leaders. Matthews and Nylander delivered their worst performance of the season Thursday and didn’t fare much better on Saturday, joined by 20-year-old rookie Easton Cowan. The stat sheet is more forgiving than the eye test, but the Maple Leafs were still outshot 6-4 when the first line was on the ice. Matthews, in particular, rarely seem engaged and made a critical error during Adam Wilsby’s game-tying goal.

Matthews fought back briefly, after losing the puck in the offensive zone. Joseph Woll came out of the net to play the puck out of harm’s way, but the Predators intercepted the puck. Matthews made no attempt to close out on the Predators, and let Wilsby walk in unimpeded, with no rotation, or attempt to pick up the oncoming puck carrier.

“That late goal we gave up in the second period, was avoidable,” Berube said post-game via David Alter of The Hockey News. “Third goal is avoidable.”

Although Matthews is blocking shots proficiently, he isn’t doing contributing in any other area of the game. Nylander generated two shots on goal at 5-on-5, and was largely carried by Tavares and Maccelli throughout the contest. During the second game of a road back-to-back against an excellent Dallas Stars team, Matthews and Nylander will need to be significantly better, or it could lead to major changes at the masthead level.

Maccelli should remain in the lineup over Max Domi on SundayMax Domi was a healthy scratch, and it was the correct decision. Domi wasn’t producing nearly enough offence, and while Maccelli doesn’t constitute a major upgrade, there’s enough to see that he’s better defensively. Maccelli was active, engaged and was one of the Leafs’ best players during the contest.

Tavares ends his drought!!!!

📽️: Sportsnet | NHL

He generated a secondary assist when his shot deflected off Tavares’ skate, hit Josi’s skate and darted in for a 2-1 Leafs lead. Toronto outshot Nashville 7-5 when Maccelli was on the ice at 5-on-5, and he’s earned his spot for Sunday’s game.

How much longer does Craig Berube have to turn the Leafs’ season around?

It’s not fun to suggest that Berube should lose his job, especially before Christmas, but it may be the major institutional change required to turn the Leafs’ season around. Berube appeared to be out of answers following Thursday’s loss to the Washington Capitals, and general manager Brad Treliving was keenly watching Saturday’s contest. It’s incumbent on Matthews and Nylander to play better, but it’s the coach’s job to extract maximal value from the roster he’s given. Berube hasn’t done that this season, even while accounting for several injuries across the board, particularly to the defence corps.

Berube has been an affable player’s coach, he’s professional and friendly to deal with but these points may be academic if the Maple Leafs lose handily against a top contender in the Dallas Stars on Sunday.

PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS