Photo credit: NICK TURCHIARO-IMAGN IMAGES

Auston Matthews and William Nylander hold themselves and their teammates fully accountable following 4-4-0 start for the Maple Leafs.

Following Tuesday’s disappointing loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares were very blunt about their performances and held everyone on the team accountable. With the Leafs taking on Craig Berube’s old team, the St. Louis Blues, on Thursday, they were looking to rebound. Unfortunately for the team and the fan base, the Leafs may have played even worse than Tuesday, losing 5-1 on home ice.

Following their second consecutive loss, Matthews and Nylander made comments that were rarely, if ever made under Sheldon Keefe.

 
“Bad game all around, up and down the lineup. Starts with me,” said Matthews.
 

Nylander echoed his captain’s sentiments and admitted he himself made a stupid play that lead to one of the Blues’ goals.

 
“We’ve for sure taken a dip. That’s on me and everyone else on the team to pick it up a notch.”
 

When Craig Berube arrived in Toronto, he preached accountability, and so far, the leadership group of the Leafs has bought in, starting with the team’s new captain, Auston Matthews.

Berube was caught by cameras on Thursday giving Matthews the gears on the bench, ensuring that his captain got the message. Judging by Matthews’ post-game comments, the message was received. He’s a smart player who knows when he’s not playing smart hockey. Now, he just has to make the necessary adjustments and help right the ship in Toronto after the concerning start to their 2024-25 campaign.