Date: November 18, 2025
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube)
After the Maple Leafs snapped a five-game skid with a 3–2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues, head coach Craig Berube met with reporters to discuss the team’s compete level, the bench response after an early own-goal, Joseph Woll’s performance, the status of Matthew Knies, the scary moment involving Sammy Blais, and the overtime play that sealed the victory. Berube also praised Troy Stecher and highlighted Jacob Quillan’s continued growth.
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On What Stood Out in the Team’s Win
“I thought we battled hard. Guys were competitive. Our checking game was pretty good for the most part throughout the game. Managed the game well. Really liked our first period. Woll was really good and we had a lot of guys in there that are new and haven’t played, but I thought they did a good job.”
On the Team’s Reaction After the Early Own-Goal
“We put it in ourselves. It’s what it is. But the bench was good. There was good energy. It was good to hear guys chatter after that and just keep playing.”
On Why Matthew Knies Missed the Game
“Lower body. This morning I wasn’t sure if he was going to play or not, so I told Sammy to be ready. He came here tonight and couldn’t go.”
On When Knies Got Hurt
“He’s had a lingering thing for a while and it got worse today.”
On Sammy Blais Leaving the Game After a Collision
“He had body contact and then he was coughing up blood and stuff, so he had to go in.”
On the Overtime Play That Won the Game
“That play symbolizes John Tavares. Three-on-one, keeps the puck alive. Morgan gets in there quickly and makes a play and Willie does what he does.”
On Troy Stecher’s Night
“Good game. Skated, moved the puck well, competitive — all the things we know of him. I really liked his feet tonight. He was aggressive and moved his feet really well.”
On Jacob Quillan’s Growth
“From last year to this year, a lot of growth. What I saw tonight was comfortable and confident play. His speed is dangerous. He got behind our D a couple times, but overall I thought he was pretty good for us tonight.”
On the Meaning of Ending the Five-Game Skid
“It’s always nice to end the skid. With everything going on with the injuries, it could have been easy for our guys to say, ‘We’re all banged up, we’ve got nobody.’ But I didn’t get that at all. Our guys competed really hard tonight. I’m proud of them — the way they competed and stuck together.”
Pulse Takeaway
The Leafs delivered one of their most resilient performances of the season. Berube highlighted the competitive edge, the strong first period, and the bench’s response after an unlucky goal. He praised Woll, Stecher, and Quillan for stepping up amid injuries, while confirming Knies is dealing with a lingering lower-body issue. The overtime sequence, he said, embodied John Tavares’ leadership and William Nylander’s finishing ability. Most importantly, Berube emphasized the team’s refusal to fold despite a depleted lineup — a sign of a group beginning to reconnect to its identity.
Quotes from Craig Berube via Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube).
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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