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Maple Leafs Show Resilience in Victory Over Flames
TORONTO – The atmosphere was charged as Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube observed his players entering the arena on Monday morning, noticeably frustrated following a disappointing stretch of games.
The team had suffered two narrow defeats to Atlantic Division competitors and had lost five out of their last six matches. “They’re not very happy right now,” Berube commented, noting the players’ dissatisfaction with their recent performance.
Facing an opponent eager to secure valuable points for their playoff aspirations, the Leafs turned in an impressive performance, overwhelming the Calgary Flames with a 6-2 victory.
Auston Matthews led the charge with two power-play goals and an assist, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Addressing reporters after the game, he emphasized the need for the team to adapt to the competitive atmosphere as the NHL regular season draws to a close.
His message resonated, as the team demonstrated a renewed sense of urgency on the ice. “Good attitude, good energy here in the room,” Matthews stated after scoring his 25th and 26th goals of the season. “Our start was much better than it has been, and just the life and energy that I think all 20-plus guys brought to the rink was great. Positive steps in that regard.”
Matthews’ resurgence came at a crucial moment, restoring his scoring touch after a stretch where he managed only three goals across 16 games. Berube acknowledged the impact of Matthews’ leadership, praising his “effort, competitiveness … just work.”
The Maple Leafs (40-24-3) remain competitive in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Florida Panthers by just two points, with a game in hand. Following the recent struggles, forward Max Domi expressed relief at the victory: “We needed this one,” he said. “Been going through the grinder a little bit.”
The team’s success on the power play was noteworthy, converting 3-of-3 attempts against a Flames squad battling for the Western Conference’s second wild-card slot. William Nylander also contributed, recording a power-play goal along with two assists.
Nick Robertson, who netted the team’s third goal, shared that the players engaged in candid discussions to address their recent challenges. “We got emotional,” he noted. “We’re just on each other about focusing on the details and focusing on (Berube’s) plan.”
After emphasizing accountability in a previous press conference, Matthews stepped up when it mattered most. Goaltender Joseph Woll, who tallied 24 saves during the match, called it a “big bounce-back game” for the team.
Looking ahead, the Leafs have a busy schedule, facing off against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday before heading to New York to take on the Rangers, followed by a Saturday visit to the Nashville Predators. “This week’s gonna be a challenging one,” Matthews remarked. “We’ve got to enjoy this. It’s not easy to win, especially when you’re going through adversity … just try to keep this rolling.”
Key Moments in the Game
In a pivotal moment during the second period, Berube successfully challenged a goal by the Flames for offside, a decision that drew a tense review process. “It was taking a little longer than I thought,” he recounted with a grin.
Special Teams Performance
While the Leafs’ power play garnered attention, their penalty kill was equally impressive, successfully shutting down all four of Calgary’s power-play chances. This was particularly noteworthy given their recent struggles, where they had allowed six short-handed goals in their last five games. “Guys were really pressuring, moving their feet, really did a good job of breaking some plays up,” Berube commented on the team’s defensive efforts.
This surge in performance is essential as Toronto looks to solidify its standing heading into the playoffs, showcasing the resilience and determination that will be crucial in the weeks to come.
Source
globalnews.ca