Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs – YouTube
Another game, another loss for the Toronto Maple Leafs and both Craig Berube and Auston Matthews made it clear that things need to start changing fast.
In a must-win game against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon, the Toronto Maple Leafs did anything but that, as they put in another lifeless performance and saved from a shutout thanks to a Max Domi consolation prize.
Toronto has to start playing like their lives depend on it — because it does
Craig Berube and Auston Matthews; the two designated leaders of the team as head coach and captain respectively, it’s getting frustrating and they are imploring the team to pull it together before it’s too late.
Matthews and Berube post-game both focused on Toronto needing to be better and putting in a stronger effort and frankly just be the one thing that’s eluded them: Just being better.
That’s a choice. They’re NHL players. You’re paid to play in the NHL. Confidence comes from, like, work and compete. If you work and compete and understand going into a game, that is the most important part. – Craig Berube
Everybody just has to be better. Has to play better, have to do the little things just a little bit harder, a little bit better and especially when you’re going through a tough time. It’s hard.
You’re going through adversity, it’s bringing everybody up and pushing yourself to be better. – Auston Matthews
The team was completely outmatched and outworked on Sunday afternoon, and regardless of the NFL Playoffs or not, it feels like less fans were tuning in and it could be soon when we see a lot of vacancies at Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto’s miserable streak could lead to more mid-season changes
Statistically you can look and see that Toronto put up a respectable number of shots, out-hit, had more blocks, and won more face-offs than the Avalanche but it doesn’t matter when you’re down 2-0 within the first ten minutes again.
This is the fifth straight game the team has gone down within the first half of the opening frame, and the third time they’ve had multiple goals scored against in those ten minutes.
Then there’s a trade deadline looming overhead and who knows how many of the current roster members are going to be putting on the blue and white come spring, and if certain players don’t start contributing, they could be on the chopping block.
There’s still a chance for Toronto to turn things around, build momentum and use an Olympic break to reset, refocus and attack the last part of the season.
But with how they’ve responded to the adversity so far, that feels like more of a dream than any potential to become a reality.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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Auston Matthews and Craig Berube just laid out what the Leafs need to fix right now
Do you think Toronto needs to wave the white flag on the season and rebuild/retool?