Maple Leafs Snap Skid with Gritty Shootout Win Over Canucks: Berube Praises Nylander, Woll, and Team Resolve
After six straight losses, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally found the win column again, edging out the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. It wasn’t just two points in the standings-it was a momentum-shifting, confidence-restoring effort that head coach Craig Berube called one of the team’s best periods of the season.
And yes, having William Nylander back in the lineup didn’t hurt.
Nylander’s Return Sparks the Group
Berube didn’t hesitate when asked about the impact of Nylander’s return. The winger, back in action after missing time, brought more than just offense-he brought a presence.
“He skated extremely well, competed, and created offense,” Berube said postgame. “Hearing him on the bench, talking, bringing leadership… I thought he elevated everybody on the team.”
That kind of spark is exactly what Toronto needed. Nylander’s ability to drive play and energize his teammates was evident from puck drop. His return seemed to inject life into a group that had been reeling, and it showed in their pace and urgency-especially in the third period.
A Third Period to Build On
Heading into the final frame tied, the Leafs knew it was time to dig deep. Berube challenged his group during the intermission, and they responded.
“We talked before the period about how it had to be our best period of the year,” Berube said. “For me, it was pretty close. We had the puck the whole period and couldn’t find the back of the net.”
The Leafs dominated possession in the third, applying relentless pressure but just couldn’t solve Vancouver’s goaltending. Still, the territorial edge and commitment to pushing the pace were clear signs of a team determined to right the ship.
Overtime Chaos and a Timely Timeout
Three-on-three overtime rarely lacks drama, and this one was no exception. The Leafs and Canucks traded chances in a frenetic extra frame, with Joseph Woll coming up huge-none bigger than a late third-period save on an odd-man rush that Berube called “a save that wins the hockey game.”
But the most intriguing moment might’ve been Berube’s decision to call a timeout right before Auston Matthews stepped up for a penalty shot in OT.
“No, that was the first time,” Berube admitted. “He needed it.”
Matthews didn’t convert on that attempt, but he got another crack in the shootout-and made it count.
Berube noted the adjustment Matthews made between his two tries, possibly taking a cue from Nylander’s earlier move.
“What I saw from the first to the second attempt, and what Willy did on his attempt-I think [Matthews] followed the same suit there, with a little move to his backhand.”
Woll Comes Up Big
Goaltending has been a storyline all season for Toronto, and Woll reminded everyone why he’s such a key piece. His performance in this one was steady, composed, and clutch-exactly what the Leafs needed to halt their slide.
“In this league, you need solid goaltending night after night,” Berube said. “We had that combination going last year, all year.
It put you in a really good spot. We need both of them to play well.”
With Woll and the goaltending tandem holding strong, the Leafs have a solid foundation to build on as they try to climb back into form.
“They Weren’t Going to Be Denied”
Berube summed it up best: “It is a good feeling in there right now after losing six in a row. It’s tough, but they worked their way out of it tonight, in my opinion. They weren’t going to be denied.”
It wasn’t perfect. It was tense, it went the distance, and there were moments of chaos. But in the end, it was a win-one that snapped a frustrating skid and reminded this group what they’re capable of when they play with urgency, structure, and belief.
Now the challenge is to keep that going. The Leafs have their win. What they do with it next will say even more.