NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues - Source: ImagnNHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues – Source: Imagn

Saturday night featured the return of former St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube to his former stomping ground as the Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Blues at Enterprise Center.

For Berube, it was his first trip back to the venue since he was terminated by the Blues in December last season. He was appointed the head coach of the Maple Leafs during the summer after they parted ways with his predecessor, Sheldon Keefe.

However it wasn’t a happy return for Berube as the Blues defeated the Leafs by a 4-2 final score. With the win, the Blues improved to 6-6 through 12 games, while the Leafs dropped to 6-5-1.

There was also a moment during the game in which first-year Leafs captain Auston Matthews was penalized for defending teammate Mitch Marner.

Berube explained that he had no problems with the actions that Matthews took in defense of his teammate, who was leveled with a heavy hit that went unpenalized by the on-ice officials.

“Well, that call, I have no problem with Matthews doing what he did,” Berube said. “Mitch Marner got drilled at the side of the net. Should have been a penalty. They missed it. So for sure, that’s a penalty, and they missed it. And he’s sticking up for his teammate there. I have no problem with that.”

The Leafs will look to rebound from their setback on Saturday when they take on the Minnesota Wild on Sunday from Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Craig Berube receives a warm reception by Blues fans in his return to St. Louis

During a first-period television timeout, there was a special video tribute and message of thanks from the Blues to Berube, who guided the franchise to its first Stanley Cup victory in 2019.

The tribute was met with overwhelming positivity from the fans in attendance at Enterprise Center, who gave the former Blues coach a standing ovation.

“That was good, obviously being a part of [the Cup championship team] too,” said Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, who won the Cup under Berube in 2019. “It kind of gives you goosebumps a little bit. He’s obviously a special coach in this organization, special coach to the city. It was cool. Glad he got the credit, well deserved.”

Berube will look back with fondness on the standing ovation he got from Blues fans despite the loss for his Leafs.