Date: November 15, 2025
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube)
After the Maple Leafs’ 3–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Craig Berube spoke about the team’s confidence struggles, costly third-period mistakes, special teams frustration, and the importance of pushing through this adversity. He also assessed Joseph Woll’s performance, young players’ growth, and why the entire injured group is traveling with the team.
For more Leafs coverage, visit the Maple Leafs page on Toronto Sports Pulse.
On What Cost Them the Game
“Two mistakes in the third period. That’s about it.”
On Struggling to Close Out Games
“Yeah, because last year we were excellent at it. Right now we’re just a little bit unconfident. We’ve got to get through that because we’ve got the leads and we have an opportunity to close this game out and win it.
We get a power play in the third and we don’t do anything with it either.”
On How He Can Instill Confidence in the Group
“I’ve got to motivate them the best way I can. Maybe it’s a kick in the ass, but maybe it’s positive reinforcement too.
We did a lot of good things. I think we had eleven or twelve A-grade chances tonight and we only get two goals out of it. Tonight we trended in the right direction, but we’ve still got to do a better job. Two little things in the third period cost us the game.”
On Joseph Woll’s Performance
“He was good. He did his job. He looked good to me in net tonight. I don’t think he could have done anything on any of those goals.”
On the Power Play
“On the second power play we started putting it behind them and going to work. We got the puck back and had good possession.
I didn’t see enough attempts to the net. And the third power play had no execution.”
On Balancing Ice Time Among the Defense
“Our top guys played a lot tonight on the back end. We’re missing two guys that play minutes. That’s the way it goes.
These guys have to do the job when they’re out there. We need more from the guys that don’t play a lot of minutes too. It’s a balance. We used our top guys a lot tonight.”
On Easton Cowan’s Game
“I thought he was good tonight. I know he made a mistake putting the puck over the glass, but overall he had some good opportunities.
He worked and skated well, made good plays, had chances to score. I was happy with his game overall. He’s still learning. He’s a kid. There are mistakes, but it’s not from a lack of effort or competitiveness.”
On Whether Confidence Tightened the Group in the Third
“I didn’t notice any of that, but you’d have to ask them.”
On Bringing All Injured Players on the Trip
“Just wanted everybody here. I think it’s good they come on the road with us.”
Pulse Takeaway
Berube pointed to two key third-period mistakes and a stagnant power play as the difference in the loss, while stressing that confidence — not effort — is the issue. He praised Woll’s performance and Cowan’s growth, but made clear the Leafs must clean up details, finish games, and push through adversity together. The team continues searching for its identity and composure in tight moments.
Quotes from Craig Berube via Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube).
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
About the Author
