Toronto Maple Leafs fans must be losing patience. And with good reason. Craig Berube’s team is stuck in a five-game tailspin, with an overall record of 8-9-2.
Toronto lost again on Saturday, this time against the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, at the United Center. After the game ended, Berube stated that the problem is a lack of confidence and gave a few possible solutions.
“Right now, we’re just a little bit unconfident. Gotta get through that because we had an opportunity to close this game out and win it,” Berube said.
“I have to motivate them the best way I can,” he added. “Maybe it’s a kick in the a–, but maybe it is positive reinforcement, too. We did a lot of good things. I think we had 11 or 12 grade-A chances tonight, and we only got two goals out of it. We’d score more than that, for the most part. You’re going to have games like that.”
The Maple Leafs need more than a pull on the ears. The lack of confidence is a symptom, not the cause. The pattern of third-period collapses, the 72 goals against and the irregular goaltending indicate that there are tactical and structural failures.
If Berube does not apply specific changes in systems and roles, the motivational impact easily dilutes. Simply handing out pep talks is just putting a band-aid on a broken leg. Making positive reinforcement a definitive solution will make the team return to the same habits under pressure.
Toronto needs to clarify responsibilities in the slot and the net-front, in addition to prioritizing stick positioning and body positioning to deny interior passes. Correcting the breakouts and exits will also be key. They need to design zone exits with close support, low support and quick-ups to avoid losses in the walls and forced icing.
The team’s confidence will improve once successful executions are repeated under a clear plan. When the game system reduces high-danger chances against and orders decisions under pressure, the perception of control will improve, and the game closures will become predictable.
It’s fine for Berube to give his players a metaphorical kick, but first, he must go back to the drawing board. Accountability, positive reinforcement and a clear map of corrections are all needed.
The Minnesota Wild (8-7-4) is back on home ice tonight to host the Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-5). The Wild will be without forward Vladimir Tarasenko for the second straight game.
Tarasenko, 33, has two goals and ten points in 18 games this year for the Wild. He missed Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury and will not play again on Sunday.
Wild head coach John Hynes said after the game that Tarasenko’s status will be day-to-day.