After a 6-3 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn’t sugarcoat things. The defeat dropped Toronto to 24-18-9 on the season, and while there were flashes of the team they can be, Berube made it clear: the effort wasn’t consistent enough, and the standard needs to be higher.
A Flat Start, a Missed Opportunity
From the opening puck drop, it was Vegas that dictated the pace. “They had the pace.
We didn’t,” Berube said postgame. “They were on their toes, and we weren’t.”
The Leafs found themselves chasing early, outworked in puck battles and slow to establish any rhythm.
That lack of urgency in the first period left them playing catch-up - a dangerous game against a team like the Golden Knights, who don’t give you much room to claw back.
But to their credit, the Leafs did find a spark in the second. For about 10 or 11 minutes, they looked like the team fans expect to see - aggressive, structured, and playing with purpose.
“We played the way we wanted to start the game,” Berube noted. That stretch gave Toronto life and got them back into the game.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
The Third Period Letdown
What frustrated Berube most wasn’t the slow start - that happens. It was the lack of a response in the third period, especially with the game hanging in the balance.
“It’s a one-goal game,” he pointed out. “We have to make a bigger push than that.”
Toronto had a chance to seize control against a Vegas team that played the night before in Boston. Instead, the Leafs let the moment slip. The power play late in the game didn’t generate what it needed to, and defensive miscues - especially on the fifth goal - sealed their fate.
“We just made mistakes there,” Berube said. “The standard has to be better and higher. We’re at home, and we’re not playing consistently enough with the urgency that is needed.”
Searching for Consistency at Home
The Maple Leafs have been a strong home team for much of the season, but this recent stretch has raised questions. Coming off a road trip, the team hasn’t looked sharp at Scotiabank Arena.
“We were kind of in and out of the game,” Berube said of the homestand. “Not quite detailed.
Not playing with the urgency and simplicity that’s needed.”
It’s not just about effort - it’s about execution. And right now, Toronto isn’t bringing both for 60 minutes.
No Quick Fixes
With the Leafs still on the outside of the playoff picture, the natural question is whether it’s time for tactical changes. Berube isn’t jumping to overhaul the system.
“We’ve tweaked things throughout the year,” he explained. “We can’t keep changing things.
We know what works. We just have to execute it.”
That’s a message rooted in belief - belief that the group has the tools, but needs to find its edge again.
Stolarz Solid in Return
Anthony Stolarz got the start in net, his first action in a while, and Berube thought he was “fine.” The third goal - a tough rebound - was one Stolarz might want back, but overall, he settled in as the game wore on.
“He looked more comfortable and better as the game went along,” Berube said. “That’s normal.
He’s been out a long time.”
Injury Updates: Nylander and Joshua
William Nylander’s return isn’t far off, but there’s still no clear timeline. “Hopefully, he’ll get on the ice this weekend,” Berube said. “We’ll see where he’s at.”
Dakota Joshua, however, is further away. “He’s not even on the ice yet,” Berube confirmed. “He is a ways away.”
The bottom line? This was a winnable game - and Toronto didn’t grab it.
Against a tired opponent, at home, with momentum on their side in the second period, the Leafs didn’t bring the urgency or execution needed to close the door. And with the playoff race tightening, that’s a missed opportunity they can’t afford to repeat.