Date: November 3, 2025
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube)
After the Maple Leafs’ 4–3 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Craig Berube discussed his frustration with the team’s slow start, their third-period response, and what he wants the group to take from the win.
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On His Frustration After the First Two Periods
“Yeah, it was good. Yeah, it was — well, I didn’t think the first period was that bad, but made a mistake on the first goal, second goal, you know, it’s a bounce. But what upsets me is we come out in the second period down two-nothing. You think we’re going to make a push — and we didn’t. They controlled the whole period with the puck.”
On What Changed in the Third Period
“We just got back to playing our game, and obviously Willie and Matthews and Knies line went out and did what they’re capable of doing. That’s it, you know, and our goalie was good.”
On Why the Team Struggled for a Full 60 Minutes
“I have no clue. I don’t have an answer for that right now. Like I said, the second period — they got the puck and did whatever they wanted with it. We didn’t check anybody, we didn’t knock anybody off the puck. And when we did get it, we gave it back to them. They just kept coming back down our throats. It’s just not good enough.”
On Late-Game Defensive Sacrifices
“At the end too, Carlo laid it on the line there with the goalie out — couple blocks. I mean, there were some good blocks by our D. They did a good job there.”
On the Message to the Team After the Win
“You always want to feel like — and this happens throughout the season — it’s a good comeback win, right? Guys played in the third and did what they’re capable of doing and came back and won a game. That’s a good feeling. But we have to understand that you’re going to get down in this league at times by a couple goals or whatever — bounces, whatever happens. And it’s the response that’s needed to get back in the game.”
“Now, we got that response in the third. I don’t understand why we never got it right away in the second. That’s the frustrating part. And that’s all mental for me. It’s got to be better. That’s the bottom line.”
Pulse Takeaway
Berube praised the Leafs’ resilience in their third-period comeback but didn’t hide his frustration with the team’s flat second period. He credited Matthews, Nylander, and Stolarz for leading the turnaround, while stressing the need for a stronger, more consistent mindset across all 60 minutes.
Quotes from Craig Berube via Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube). Used for analysis and commentary.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and length.