Auston Matthews defends effort level, believes Leafs have found their identity

""I don't think it's an effort thing. Guys worked hard. I thought we competed. I thought we had a lot of o-zone time. Just when breakdowns happen and mistakes happen, they're too big of breakdowns, too big of mistakes, we're giving up too many odd-man rushes and the puck is going in the back of our net. I think it's more a cerebral thing than an effort thing.""

""I think it's just being connected with all five guys on the ice. The effort's there, I think guys are competing, especially over the last week. I think we've found our identity but when mistakes happen, they're just egregious ones.""

""They came at us, and as we've talked about, they're a talented and good rush team," Berube said. "They capitalized on their opportunities. More than anything, that is what it boils down to. I just felt like we were disconnected at times getting through the neutral zone. It cost us.""

Toronto suffered its worst defeat of the year after surrendering multiple odd-man rushes and conceding several goals off the rush. Players maintained effort and competed with ample offensive-zone time, but repeated defensive breakdowns produced egregious mistakes and too many odd-man rushes. Matthews described the issue as more cerebral than effort-related and stressed the need for all five skaters to be connected on the ice. Head coach Berube said opponents capitalized on rush opportunities and that disconnection through the neutral zone proved costly. The Maple Leafs sit 5-5-1, five points behind Montreal, and Matthews has five goals and eight points in 11 games.

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