Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Although he’s gotten some criticism for his lineup choices, Craig Berube’s latest decision may have been one that has started to tile things in Toronto’s favor.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, there was a lot of excitement and expectations surrounding how Craig Berube would use the new players at his disposal, enacting more of that grit and grind attitude that brought the Maple Leafs so much success last year.
Craig Berube may have struck gold with new top line
Though some new stats show that while he may have deserved a little criticism earlier on, he should be rewarded with praise for his latest move:
Since Berube put Bobby McMann and Max Domi together with Auston Matthews, the group has a 74% xGF rate while outscoring opponents 4-2 and have 12 points combined in that span.
The energy that McMann is bringing at both ends, plus his relentless forechecking has allowed Matthews to be able to shoot a little more, and with Domi being the facilitator; it’s working out in spades. They have 38 shots combined over the last three games which is quite an unbelievable number from the typically bashful Leafs.
The line looks fast, they look motivated, and Berube deserves credit for making the switch. He needed to add a little more spark to the top line and with how McMann had been playing, he earned the spot.
They are also bringing the defense with eight hits, two blocks, a plus-four, and only allowing two goals against while on the ice.
It’s a refreshing turnaround for Domi who typically lacks effort; he’s showing a lot of heart and grit out there. McMann has shown there’s good reason why Toronto took a chance on him and he’s on pace to break his career highs set last year.
But it’s Matthews who has seemingly benefited the most from this change, and we’re starting to see more and more of the old Auston which is great news going forward so long as Craig Berube keeps them together.
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One Craig Berube move is starting to tilt the ice for the Maple Leafs
Do you think Craig Berube has figured out his lineup?