"We have Dakota Mermis here on defense, but putting Mermis in there, to me - we don't have a lefty-righty balance on the pairs as it is, and that is going to make it even worse. You're putting someone on the right side, where we have McCabe now, which is new for him. He played the left side all of last year."
"It's just about being predictable and on the same page. It is not like the guys are trying not to work hard or are not working hard, but you have to work smarter sometimes and help each other out. Communication goes a long way; it opens up your vision to be able to make plays under the gun with forechecking pressure, so you're able to make those slip plays or the simple plays up the wall."
Toronto Maple Leafs face a pivotal rematch against Boston after a poor run including being swept in a home-and-home versus Detroit, Buffalo taking three of four points, and a defensive collapse against Carolina. Head coach Craig Berube considered call-ups but cited left-right defensive imbalance and the presence of Dakota Mermis as complicating roster moves. Jake McCabe emphasized the need for predictability, smarter play and stronger communication to handle forechecking pressure and make safer plays. McCabe acknowledged divisional history raises intensity but said the primary focus remains earning two points.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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