Despite defeating the Ottawa Senators 6-2 in their opening playoff game, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expecting a desperate opponent when the two clubs meet for Game 2 of their first-round series.
"We're going to get a good push from the Senators tonight. We know that. They're going to be better tonight," Maple Leafs head coach Craif Berube said. "We talk to our guys. We've got to be better. We've got to do things better. You might not get all the power play opportunities you got last game."
The Senators had the edge at even strength in their game with Toronto. However, Toronto had three power-play goals to put their opponents out of reach.
In his morning availability, Berube addressed several topics including;
* The need for his team to improve at 5-on-5.
* Maintaining a consistent approach between games.
* Limiting Sens forward Tim Stutzle's time and space in the neutral zone.
* Battle of Ontario and Anthony Stolarz' preparation for Game 2.
Q: What ways do you need to be better?
Well, I think we can do a better job defensively and check better than we did last game. I thought we gave up some chances that we didn't need to give up. Offensively, we've got to control more of the game in the offensive zone than we did.
Q: How do you brace for that pushback from the Senators while still trying to dictate your own game?
"I think just preparation from your players. And the coaches, obviously. Players just understanding the start of the game is crucial, in my opinion. And being prepared for a hard push from them. The best way I can put it is you've got to be prepared to battle. The puck battles and the physical play and making hard plays, simple plays with the puck. Those are the types of things that you want to prepare for as a player. And just, we've got to skate early. We've got to be on our toes. We've got to skate right away. We've got to be skating.
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Q: Do you like to keep the mood loose if you can during the playoffs? What's your approach in terms of the temperature of the room?
Not much different than a regular season. I think, you know, it depends on the situation in the game and what's going on. You know, I'm pretty much the same.
Q: The (Tim) Stutzle line had a lot of success at 5-on-5 just in terms of generating shots. What's the key to limiting that?
Yeah, well I thought we let Stutzle carry the pucks in the neutral zone a little bit too easily at times. I think we need to force them to put pucks in more deep than they did. I thought they gained the zone on us with possession too many times. That's a good forechecking line. They're heavy with Tkachuk on there and Stutzle's heavier than you think. We've got to break the puck out better. So when we force them to dump pucks, we've got to make sure we're getting that puck and we're making a strong play right away and getting that out of our zone. Limit them from creating them zone time on us.
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Q: What do you like about it what do you sense for your group coming off that Game 1 win?
We're in a good spot. I liked our attitude yesterday in practice. Pretty business-like, ready to go. Like I said, it's one game. And I think what I see is we've moved on from it and we're ready for Game 2. That's the biggest thing is getting ready for game two, moving on from Game 1. We've had Game 1, throw it out. Obviously, you look at things that you want to do better and maybe what they're going to adjust and do or different things like that. But it's the mindset of getting prepared for Game 2 and understanding it's going to be a harder game.
Q: Teams fight all year for home ice. How important is atmosphere last night?
Well, it was a great atmosphere. I think, you know, the building was awesome. The crowd was awesome. I expect the same tonight. We've got to give them something to cheer about.
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Q: What was the Battle of Ontario like for you?
It's great. I didn't really understand all of it before. I've watched it in the past, obviously, but there's some hatred there for sure, and it's pretty good. I enjoy it.
Q: The night before a game, do you get sucked in watching McDavid and the Oilers?
That's late for me, but I mean, I watched a lot of hockey last night, but that one was a little late, but that's playoffs, right? You're up, But next, you know, it's tied. Like, you got McDavid and Draisaitl. Like, you never count those guys out, right? They're just great players that can do great things, you know.
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Q: How was the day off yesterday for (Anthony) Stolarz help his prep tonight?
No, it's just rest. And then he gets his work here this morning, what he needs, I think. You know, with goalies, it's a little different. I thought that, you know, he had some good work in that game. He had to be sharp. He played a lot of pucks and he was busy, so you've got to manage that and what you think is best for that individual the next day.
Q: What stood out about Pontus Holmberg to move up the lineup?
It's all match up oriented with me for the most part and what I'm seeing. Maybe if I don't like something I'll switch it in game like I did. He played with that line before and I thought he did a good job there. I thought that line was pretty effective. He hangs on to it (the puck). I talk about Pontus. He's very good at hanging on a pucks. I need that line to have more ozone possession time.
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Q: What do you make of (Bobby) McMann's who is in a bit of a scoring rut? What were you with the game overall?
He's getting his attempts at the net. I think there's times where I'm not sure the attempt is worth it. I think I'd like to see him delay a little bit or hang on the pucks a little bit more. He needs to get on the inside. That's going to be key for us with him. He could be an effective player with his speed, body strength, size. We need him to get on the forecheck. We need him to get to the inside and the interior of the ice. Did a good job in the goal. That's the interior of the ice I'm talking about. But he can provide more. He can do more.
Q: Now that it's playoffs, obviously your hometown is in a oil country. How many Leaf jerseys and hats are...
They're split. They're split right now. Callahoo has leaf stuff on. Probably everybody else has all of their stuff.
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