After a gritty 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames, Craig Berube met with the media to break down a night that had a little bit of everything - momentum swings, big saves, blocked shots, and a few wild bounces off the boards. With the victory, the Maple Leafs improved to 26-21-9, and while it wasn’t always pretty, it was the kind of performance that shows this team might be turning a corner.
A Game of Swings - and a Strong Response
Berube didn’t sugarcoat it: the Leafs didn’t exactly come out flying. “Early on in the first seven or eight minutes, we didn’t really grab control,” he said. Calgary had the early edge, and the Leafs were on their heels.
But the second period told a different story. Toronto came out with energy, built a 3-0 lead, and looked like they were ready to put the game away. Then came the pushback - two quick goals from the Flames, and suddenly it was a one-goal game again.
In the third, Berube liked the start, but admitted the Leafs let Calgary dictate too much of the play late. “We let them come at us too much,” he said.
It wasn’t full-on survival mode, but it was close. Still, the Leafs bent without breaking - thanks in large part to their goaltender.
Woll Comes Up Big
Joseph Woll was the difference-maker in net. With pucks bouncing unpredictably off the boards and bodies, Woll had to be sharp - and he was.
“He had to make some diving saves and second and third-effort saves,” Berube said. “He was solid tonight for us.”
It wasn’t just the highlight-reel stops. Woll’s composure under pressure helped steady the Leafs when the Flames made their push. In games like this, where chaos seems to be around every corner, having a calm presence in the crease makes all the difference.
Nylander Sets the Tone
William Nylander looked like a man on a mission from the opening faceoff. He finished the night with three points and was all over the ice - winning puck battles, making smart decisions in both ends, and driving play.
“Early on, I could just tell,” Berube said. “He was engaged right away… He was dialed in.”
When Nylander is playing with that kind of energy and focus, he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. And after missing time, his return has clearly given this team a shot of adrenaline.
Still No Power Play - And Some Frustration
One of the oddities of the night? Toronto didn’t get a single power play. That’s now three out of the last four games without one, and Berube wasn’t exactly thrilled.
“I saw penalties out there tonight,” he said, referencing a missed tripping call late in the third. He stopped short of going full soapbox, but the frustration was clear.
“It is what it is. You go through these stretches sometimes… I do [have an answer], but I’m not going to tell you guys.”
Confidence Building - and Stecher Steps Up
Back-to-back wins are always good for morale, but Berube pointed out that it’s not just the results - it’s who’s helping drive them. Nylander’s return has been a huge boost, and the ripple effect is showing up across the roster.
One player who stood out? Troy Stecher.
With Morgan Rielly out, the Leafs’ blue line needed someone to step up, and Stecher delivered. He scored a beautiful four-on-four goal to make it 3-0 - a play that showcased both smarts and skill.
“It was a great four-on-four goal with the movement,” Berube said. “He beat his guy to the net, and Willy made a great play to him. He made a nice move on the goalie to put it in.”
Stecher doesn’t score often, but that one was timely - and Berube was clearly happy for him.
A Team Effort on the Blue Line
With Rielly sidelined, the Leafs leaned on their depth, and the defense corps answered the call. “The minutes were pretty spread out,” Berube noted. “McCabe obviously got the most, but they do all of the things they’re good at - blocking shots, defending, and the little things.”
It was a full-team effort defensively, and it had to be. Calgary brought pressure, especially late, but the Leafs stayed committed to the grind - getting in lanes, sacrificing the body, and doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t a perfect game, but it was a resilient one - and that matters. The Leafs weathered early pressure, built a lead, responded when it got tight, and found a way to close it out. With Nylander back and Woll holding strong in net, there’s a sense that this group is finding its footing again.
Confidence is building - and with the season entering its stretch run, that’s exactly what Toronto needs.