Craig Berube on the Leafs' hard-luck loss in Dallas: "We want bounces, and we want luck... You have to earn them, and you have to keep earning them"

"We played well. Through two periods, I really liked our game. Lots of chances and opportunities. It is not going in right now. Eventually, it wears on you throughout the game, right? In the third period, they got that third goal. It set us back pretty good. I saw a lot of it in the last game: Our puck play is a lot better. There are opportunities from just making more plays. There is more confidence in our game."

"For a scorer, when it is not going in, and you are getting opportunities, sometimes, you have to get around the net more and score some greasy, dirty goals. That message has been said forever. That is one thing he can probably do. He is getting his looks, and they are not going in, but sometimes you have to get around the net, get greasy, and score some dirty goals."

"The power play had opportunities. It is the same as our five-on-five game. It is not going in. When it is not going in, you have to be careful. You can't nitpick every little thing. This game is a fast game and a reaction game. We have to stick to what we are doing, be predictable - as we have been lately - and keep working. We want bounces. We want luck. You have to earn them, and you have to keep earning them."

The team played well through two periods, creating many chances and showing improved puck play and confidence. A third-period goal by the opponent shifted momentum and contributed to a 5-1 loss. The team defended strongly and limited opportunities against a quality opponent despite scarce scoring. William Nylander has an 11-game goalless drought and could benefit from more net-front work and 'greasy, dirty' goals to break the slump. The power play went 0-for-4 despite opportunities. The team must continue its current processes, remain predictable in structure, and keep earning the bounces and luck needed to change results.

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