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Berube’s Impact: Toronto Maple Leafs Dominate Ottawa Senators in Playoff Series
OTTAWA – David Perron is experiencing a striking sense of déjà vu as the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the Ottawa Senators in this year’s playoffs. The winger, who was part of the St. Louis Blues when they clinched the Stanley Cup in 2019 under head coach Craig Berube, recognizes the hallmarks of Berube’s coaching style in Toronto’s current fight against their provincial rivals.
During his tenure with the Blues, Berube’s straightforward, competitive approach played a crucial role in reshaping a team that had started the season poorly. His emphasis on resilience and teamwork helped guide the squad to victory, a model he appears to be replicating in Toronto, as the Maple Leafs navigate their first-round series with a formidable roster burdened by playoff disappointments in previous years.
The Senators have quickly discovered that this version of the Maple Leafs is markedly different. Currently, the Leafs hold a commanding 3-0 lead over Ottawa in their best-of-seven playoff series, showcasing their dominance with a decisive 6-2 victory in the opener, followed by two closely contested overtime games ending in 3-2.
“I see a lot of similarities,” Perron remarked recently at the Canadian Tire Centre. “They have a tendency to find shooting lanes and push the puck deeper into the zone, displaying great patience and composure.”
Berube has emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, particularly when circumstances seem unfavorable. “The game may not always flow your way,” he stated. “When things aren’t going as planned, patience, defensive commitment, and persistence will lead to opportunities eventually.”
This philosophy has contributed significantly to Toronto’s unprecedented series lead, marking their first 3-0 position in the playoffs since 2001 and boasting an impressive record of 16 wins, 2 losses, and 1 overtime defeat over their last 19 games, including both regular-season and playoff encounters.
“Mistakes will happen,” Berube acknowledged. “The key is the additional effort, the kind of determination to follow up that is necessary to create success. We are seeing plenty of that in our gameplay.”
This season, the Maple Leafs’ power play has markedly improved, converting 5 out of 9 opportunities during the playoffs, alongside a steady penalty kill and strong goaltending from Anthony Stolarz, who holds a .926 save percentage. Toronto defenceman Brandon Carlo, recently acquired from the Boston Bruins, expressed excitement about the current group. “It’s fantastic to be part of this team,” he commented. “When someone slips up, others step up to cover, fostering a great sense of teamwork and camaraderie.”
Despite the challenges, Maple Leafs are aware of the historical odds against teams down 3-0 in a best-of-seven series, which is a daunting 207-4 in favor of the leading teams. However, Senators forward Claude Giroux recalled a 2010 miracle where the Philadelphia Flyers, with him on the roster, overcame such a deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins. “What does history tell us?” Perron asked with a smirk. “Not inspiring, but we’re focusing on one game at a time, and that’s how we plan to approach it.”
The Leafs know well the dangers of letting up, having previously squandered a 3-1 series lead to the Montreal Canadiens in a past playoff. This history keeps them vigilant, as they remember how a few victories can shift the momentum, evidenced by their strong performance coming back against the Bruins last spring after being down 3-1.
“It’s an ongoing journey,” stated Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. “We remain grounded and focused, not getting ahead of ourselves.” Rielly noted that the principles instilled by Berube during the regular season have remained steadfast, even transitioning into the playoffs. “We’re building our game, focusing on key areas, and players feel confident as we progress.”
Berube, reflecting on Perron’s comparison of the current Maple Leafs to the 2019 Blues, acknowledged the variations in player skill sets between the teams. While St. Louis thrived on grinding opponents down, Toronto’s approach leverages high-end talent. “The essential factor is the players’ commitment to the system,” he said. “Our team has embraced this philosophy, and there are indeed parallels in our style of play.”
Perron, now an observer rather than a participant, recognizes the familiar strategies being employed. “I can see flashes that remind me of our time in St. Louis, and deep down, I know where those ideas originate,” he concluded.
Source
globalnews.ca