Craig Berube on the Leafs receiving zero power plays in Washington: “I don’t think it’s on us… We worked and competed… We had good offensive-zone time”
Craig Berube addressed the media after his team’s 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, which dropped the Maple Leafs’ record to 10-11-3.
On the team’s performance:
We did a good job getting the lead. We killed those penalties and scored off one. We had our looks, too. We just didn’t capitalize on some of them, and we made a couple of mistakes in the defensive zone in the third period.
On where the game got away from the team in the third period:
I don’t know if it got away from us. If you look at scoring chances, we out-chanced them in that period, but in the defensive zone, they had the one goal where we just didn’t seal up. We got stick lifted, first of all, and then they made a play up the wall to Ovi. We have to have that backdoor sealed up.
They got roaming around on that next goal, and again, a seam pass got us. It is a couple of seam passes they got us on there. We need to have better sticks and better coverage. And we have to finish. We had some opportunities to finish on some plays; I mean, we had three breakaways, and we have to finish. We didn’t finish.
On receiving zero power plays, and if it is on the officials or the team:
I don’t think it is on us. We worked and competed. We had good offensive-zone time. That is the way it goes sometimes. I don’t know what to say about it.
On the keys to keeping a positive disposition entering tomorrow’s game:
It is the only way you can look at it. Again, we will look at stuff, fix a few things, and keep going.
If we finish better tonight, we win this game.
On why he decided to scratch Max Domi:
Again, I have to look at the lineup and what is best for tonight. That is part of it. I talked to him about getting a reset. We will see about tomorrow, and if we get him back in.
On Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli’s return to the lineup after their healthy scratches:
I liked Joshua tonight. Maccelli did some good things with the puck at times. Other times, he didn’t; he didn’t get pucks out enough, and things like that. He did make some things happen in the offensive zone on some shifts.
I thought Dak was engaged and physical. I thought he was a pretty good player tonight.
Game Highlights: Capitals 4 vs. Maple Leafs 2
Rick Tocchet’s leadership under the microscope after Flyers’ latest game
After another gritty performance from the Flyers in their most recent clash, all eyes turn to Rick Tocchet — the new head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers — to see if his vision and leadership can translate into consistency and long‑term success.
Tocchet, 61, returned “home” to the Flyers in May 2025, becoming the 25th head coach in franchise history. Once a fan favorite as a player — he spent 11 seasons in Philadelphia during his 18‑year NHL playing career — he was inducted into the Flyers’ Hall of Fame in 2021. His hiring came after a turbulent period, as the club sought a fresh start following the dismissal of the previous head coach in March 2025.
Before arriving in Philadelphia, Tocchet spent three seasons coaching the Vancouver Canucks, a stint that earned him the prestigious Jack Adams Award in 2024 as NHL Coach of the Year. That achievement reaffirmed his reputation as a coach capable of blending discipline with performance, and it made him one of the most sought‑after candidates on the coaching market this offseason.
Tocchet’s coaching style, forged over decades in the NHL both as a player and a bench boss, blends “old‑school” toughness with modern structure. He favors defensive discipline, high effort, and team‑oriented play — while also allowing offensive talents room to create. That balance is precisely what the Flyers hope will steer them out of their playoff drought and begin a rebuild toward contention.
In the most recent game, Tocchet was seen leaning on both veteran leadership and youthful energy; his lines featured a mix of established players alongside up-and-coming names. This blending of experience and youth reflects his broader strategy: to build a core that can grow together over multiple seasons, rather than go for quick — and often unsustainable — fixes.
Behind the scenes, his coaching staff has also been reshaped. The Flyers reportedly brought in assistants with varied backgrounds, signaling Tocchet’s intent to combine new ideas with his own proven philosophies.
Much of the buzz around Tocchet revolves around his ability to instill identity and culture. Returning to a franchise where he once played, he understands the history and weight of being a Flyer — a heritage he seems intent to honor.
Still, questions remain. Some analysts caution that despite his credentials, Tocchet effectively starts from scratch with this Flyers squad — one that has struggled in recent seasons and is still far from a playoff-caliber roster. The “system + skill” balance may yield volatile results early on: flashes of brilliance might be followed by inconsistency.
After the latest game, fans and pundits alike took stock: Did the Flyers look more organized? Did they show better defensive structure? Did the younger players seem more confident? In many respects, the answers were “yes.” That said — consistency remains the challenge.
For Rick Tocchet, the coming weeks and months will represent the true test. Can he turn the raw promise of a youthful roster into a stable, competitive unit? Can he reinstate a culture of accountability and identity that re-energizes both players and fans? If he succeeds, this Flyers team could be building toward something far bigger than a single season: a lasting revival.
