A Little Lackluster”: Leafs Head Coach Not Fully Satisfied Despite Win Over Rangers
Toronto, ON — April 30, 2025 — Despite securing a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena last night, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn’t hold back in expressing some concern over his team’s performance.
In the post-game press conference, Berube described the win as “a little lackluster,” pointing to inconsistency and lapses in intensity throughout the game. “We got the result we wanted,” he said, “but not in the way we wanted. There were stretches where we let up, and that’s something we can’t afford going forward.”
The Leafs started strong, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. However, the Rangers fought back in the second, leveling the score and exposing some defensive breakdowns that Berube labeled “avoidable.” A late goal by William Nylander in the third, followed by an empty-netter from John Tavares, sealed the deal — but not without raising questions about Toronto’s ability to maintain momentum and pressure for a full 60 minutes.
“We have the firepower, no doubt about that,” said Berube. “But our compete level has to be higher across all three periods. We can’t afford to coast — not at this stage.”
Several players echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that while a win is always welcomed, the performance left room for improvement. “We need to play tighter, cleaner hockey,” Marner said. “It’s about building habits that will carry us deeper into the postseason.”
The Maple Leafs, currently jockeying for playoff positioning in a tight Eastern Conference race, will face the Boston Bruins next in what’s expected to be a physical and high-stakes matchup. Berube emphasized the need for a full-team effort moving forward: “We’ve got to bring our best, every shift, every game.”
Despite the victory, Toronto’s coaching staff and players alike are well aware that the road ahead demands sharper execution — and no complacency.
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