Craig Berube pinpoints exactly where Toronto Maple Leafs lost control of Panthers game – Source: Imagn

The Toronto Maple Leafs crumbled to a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night at FLA Live Arena. Leafs head coach Craig Beube claimed that the game was evenly matched during five-on-five play, but the special teams made the difference.

Florida wasted no time taking control on the night, jumping to a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes. Aleksander Barkov opened the scoring with a power-play one-timer for his fifth goal of the season, followed by Mackie Samoskevich adding an even-strength tally less than a minute later.

Toronto struggled to respond despite a strong push in the second period. However, the Panthers struck again as Sam Reinhart netted a short-handed goal late in the frame. Mitch Marner scored a power-play goal moments later but it was the only one from their side on the night. Carter Verhaeghe added a power-play marker in the third, and Sam Bennett sealed the game with an empty-netter later.

During the post-game interview, Craig Berube mentioned that the team gave up two power-play goals and a shorthanded goal, which ultimately cost them the game.

“Five-on-five, we knew it was going to be a tight game,” Berube said. “Special teams were the difference. We gave up two power-play goals and a shorty. To me, that is the difference in the game.”

The Leafs head coach mentioned that the team needs to work harder to get in front of the net, create opportunities, and score ‘greasy’ goals. He felt the team wasn’t making it tough enough for the opposing goalie by creating second and third chances.

Craig Berube believes Maple Leafs need to play ‘sharper’ and avoid unnecessary penalties

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ growing list of injured players expanded on Wednesday as forward Bobby McMann left the game against the Panthers with a lower-body injury. Already without key contributors like Auston Matthews, Max Domi, and Matthew Knies, McMann became the eighth forward sidelined.

Craig Berube expressed frustration with losing so many forwards during the post-game interview but is hopeful that some players might return for the next game. He said:

“Well, it’s frustrating, you know, but, you know, hopefully we get it, you know, some guys coming back here next game.”

“But, um, you know, we just, you know, for the game tonight, we got to be sharper and, you know, there’s some of the penalties we don’t need to, we don’t need to take them penalties. I think we, you know, in the third period, we’re trying to come back,” he added.