Craig Berube was not happy with the team’s performance and showed his frustration in the first period (image credit: IMAGN)
During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday, Craig Berube showed clear frustration with his team. He called a timeout after the Islanders took a 2-0 lead at 4:48 in the first period. Berube was seen yelling and using hand gestures while the players listened quietly as he expressed his frustration.
NHL reporter David Alter shared after the game that William Nylander confirmed Berube’s message.
“wake the f*** up,” Nylander said.
Despite the early struggles, Nylander had a strong game, scoring twice for Toronto. Berube spoke highly of his effort and for having good energy.
“He has been a good player for a long time, hasn’t he?” Berube said after the game. “I thought Willy was skating early in the game and had good jump. He wants the puck. He wants to make things happen with it. He’s motivated.”
Berube also addressed the need for more players to step up in the absence of Auston Matthews. The Leafs’ captain missed the game as he reaggravated his injury.
“It is not just Willy,” Berube said. “We need everybody to step up. We didn’t have enough guys step up tonight and do the job.”
The game saw Maxim Tsyplakov open the scoring for the Islanders at 1:47 before Horvat made it 2-0 at 4:48. Nylander scored for Toronto at 12:29, cutting the lead to 2-1 before Jean-Gabriel Pageau made it 3-1. Nylander scored again in the second period to make it 3-2.
The Islanders added more goals from Isaiah George, Noah Dobson and Bobby McMann. The game ended with Mathew Barzal’s empty-net goal, giving the Islanders a 6-3 win which snapped their two-game losing streak.
Craig Berube provided update on Auston Matthews’ injury postgame
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube gave an update on Auston Matthews’ reaggravated injury. He is hopeful Matthews can recover quickly but didn’t give a timeline.
“I’m not a doctor,” Berube said on Saturday. “I can’t answer that question. I’m hoping here with the break coming up, he can get some relief, feel better, be ready to go, recharge. So that’s really all I can say about it.”
Matthews likely won’t return until after the holiday break. His injury seemed to worsen during the win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, possibly from a cross-check by Dennis Gilbert.
Previously, Matthews missed nine games due to an upper-body injury. However, the Leafs won seven of those games. Matthews has 11 goals and 12 assists this season. The Leafs are 21-11-2 and first in the Atlantic Division.
