"All at once, this was a vital two points, a very fitting final four minutes to the Joe Bowen tribute game, and a not-at-all-reassuring performance by the Maple Leafs overall. This was the actual reality of this performance for the vast majority of the game: Irrelevant if they come back in this game, too. That period was Embarrassing, following an Embarrassing game on Saturday, both at home, both big"
"nights that should have been the easiest thing ever to show up for. - Anthony Petrielli (@APetrielli) December 17, 2025 Let's hope the internal feedback from Craig Berube is a lot more critical and on-point than his external messaging. On Saturday night, after the loss to Edmonton, the first two periods were called pretty good outside of a couple of mental mistakes. Tonight, it was again about a few frustrating mistakes early amid an"
"few frustrating mistakes early amid an "actually pretty good" start. Can you really lambaste the team on the bench for having one shot on goal in the first 12 minutes, storm off the bench at the first intermission with steam coming out of your ears, hear boos from the fans throughout (which the players themselves admitted were deserved), tell the media after the game that the start was actually pretty good outside of a shorthanded goal (before adding"
Winning those two points required a late rally during the Joe Bowen tribute game, but the team’s overall play was worrisome. The performance was embarrassing for most of the game, following another poor showing two nights earlier at home. Internal feedback from coach Craig Berube needs to be harsher than public remarks that characterize starts as “actually pretty good.” Players and fans acknowledged early mistakes, including a bench that managed one shot in the first 12 minutes and audible boos. The team repeatedly failed to exert sustained control, struggling even against a Bedard-less Chicago squad.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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