Date: November 20, 2025
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube)
Ahead of Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke about Scott Laughton’s return, reuniting him with Easton Cowan, what the team needs to carry over from the win against St. Louis, Calle Järnkrok’s versatility, Auston Matthews’ progress, Anthony Stolarz’s status, Joseph Woll’s workload, and how much pressure the group was able to release by finally ending their skid.
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On Scott Laughton Getting Back Into the Lineup
“We traded for him last year. I thought it took him a bit to get acclimated here, but I thought he had a good playoff for us for sure. What we brought him in to do, I thought he did a good job. It’s good to have him back.”
On Reuniting Laughton With Easton Cowan
“Both, but Cowan definitely adds puck play to that line and some playmaking ability. I thought that line in camp looked really good with their speed. They looked connected. They looked like they had chemistry.”
On the Key to Building on Tuesday’s Win
“A lot of the same as last game. I thought defensively we were a lot better, a lot tighter. I liked our first period and our start. We’ve got to continue focusing on the little things and focus on the first period tonight. We know what Columbus is all about, so we’re going to have to be a tight-checking group tonight.”
On Moving Calle Järnkrok Up With Tavares and Nylander
“Just a little bit for matchups and also the familiarity that Willie and him have together.”
On Järnkrok’s Role on the Top Power Play
“Right-handed shot down there. That’s one thing I think we kind of miss, and that was the reason we put him there.”
On the Value of Järnkrok’s Versatility
“He’s a valuable guy. He does a lot of things out there night in and night out that go unnoticed that we notice, but maybe you guys don’t or the fans don’t. He’s a good penalty killer. He’s a hard worker. He does a lot of little things right all over the ice. He can complement any line in certain ways. He’s valuable.”
On Auston Matthews’ Progress
“It’s good to see him out there with us. Just talking to him, he’s feeling a lot better and I thought he was shooting the puck pretty well, so that’s a good sign.”
On a timetable: “No, not yet. Maybe later we’ll get one.”
On Anthony Stolarz Being Out Longer Than Expected
“Obviously it was worse than we thought. He’s not ready to get on the ice yet and do the things he needs to do. Hopefully it’s soon. I really don’t have a timetable for him. Maybe tomorrow he’ll be on the ice. I’m not sure.”
On Whether There Was a Setback With Stolarz
“No, there wasn’t. We just weren’t sure at the time what it was and the seriousness of it. That’s kind of where we’re at.”
On Joseph Woll’s Workload Since Returning
“He seems fine. It was a good rest day for him yesterday. He feels good and feels like he’s got great energy out there, so it’s good to hear that from him.”
On Whether Tuesday’s Win Released Some Pressure
“It does for a bit, but we’ve got to carry on here. We’ve got to keep piling up wins when we can. We’ve got a game tonight. That game’s over with. We did a good job and won the hockey game, but we’ve got a tough challenge tonight again that we’ve got to get focused for.”
Pulse Takeaway
Berube framed Thursday’s matchup with Columbus as another test of structure and discipline after a much-needed win over St. Louis. He welcomed Scott Laughton back, praised the chemistry with Easton Cowan, and leaned on Calle Järnkrok’s ability to move up and down the lineup and help the top power play. With Auston Matthews progressing, Stolarz still not quite ready, and Woll handling his workload well, the message remained clear: enjoy the brief relief of snapping the skid, then refocus quickly and keep stacking wins.
Quotes from Craig Berube via Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube).
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and length.