
Craig Berube Reflects on Maple Leafs’ 4-3 Win Over Oilers…
The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, improving their record to 31-19-2. Following the win, head coach Craig Berube addressed the media, offering his thoughts on the game’s flow, his team’s performance, and a pivotal moment involving a crucial offside call.
While the Leafs were able to grab an early 4-1 lead, Berube acknowledged that his team could have done more to maintain control of the game as the Oilers mounted a comeback. “We got the lead, and I thought we could’ve made a harder push,” Berube remarked. “We let them come at us too much. They are a very good team; we know that, and they have great players.”
Despite Edmonton’s surge, which saw them cut the deficit to one goal late in the third period, Berube emphasized that the win was still significant. “We did a lot of good things, but I think we could’ve been more aggressive with the lead,” he said. “Wins are wins, and they’re good, but we could’ve pushed a little bit more on them.”
One of the standout performances came from goalie Joseph Woll, who was a key factor in preserving the lead as the Oilers relentlessly pressed for the tying goal. “Woll was great,” Berube praised. “The guys battled. It was a playoff battle-type of game. A lot of credit to their team. They’re very good.”
The dramatic final moments of the game were defined by a critical offside review. With the Oilers looking to tie the game at 4-4, the video team identified a potential offside call in the lead-up to the goal. Berube described the decision-making process: “We couldn’t quite get the angle they wanted, so I called the timeout to give them more time. They made a great call.” That call ultimately nullified the goal, securing the Leafs’ victory.
In the end, while Berube acknowledged areas where the team could improve, he remained upbeat about the win. The Maple Leafs showed resilience, earning a crucial two points in what felt like a playoff-style contest. With their strong performance, despite room for growth, the Leafs continue to solidify their place in the standings as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.