The Maple Leafs roll into Dallas on the second half of a back-to-back after a brutal showing in Nashville, and tonight’s matchup could mark a major turning point — or the end of the Craig Berube era. We break down every storyline from Game 35: lineup decisions, standout performances, special teams swings, goaltending choices between Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby, and whether this group showed any pride after last night’s collapse.
From Auston Matthews and William Nylander’s response, to Easton Cowan, Matias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, Dakota Joshua, Morgan Rielly’s struggles, and lineup chaos with Philippe Myers, Max Domi and Bobby McMann — we hit all the pressure points. We’ll also react to the betting fallout and what this game means heading into the holidays.
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8 Comments
Chief is probably hoping they let him go. That would be the best Christmas gift he could ask for. Like a mercy pull
Jay Woodcroft got the boot early in the 2023–24 season after the Oilers had a total nightmare of a start, sitting at a brutal 3–9–1. Even though they actually won his final game in Seattle, the team was basically tied for last place in the league, and the vibes were at an all-time low thanks to shaky goaltending and a cold offense. They ended up bringing in Kris Knoblauch to steady the ship, and it worked like a charm—the Oilers went from being a basement-dweller in November to falling just one goal short in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
time to blow it up. its obvious these players together just doesnt work. tell guys like soft Tavares that if you dont want to waive your NMC ok team is going youth movement you will be a 4th liner playing 7 minutes a night and you will be a healthy scratch more than occasionally
52:25 I’m pretty sure the NBA has different rules about injury disclosure.
I earnestly hope that Leafs fans will muster the courage to refrain from purchasing tickets, as this is the only means by which we can express our frustration with having a deficient general manager, affectionately dubbed "Dumb Tree," at the helm. The Maple Leafs are the most valuable franchise in the league; how dare they eliminate the role of a president and entrust a GM of mediocre caliber like Dumb Tree to manage the team?
This should be a results-oriented business, with no room for excuses and the intention of the move by a GM. The facts is under Dumb Tree this team sucks. Sacrificing two first-round picks for a fourth-line defenseman who was injured prior to the trade and a fourth-line center is an unacceptable blunder, especially choice to go all in when the first-line center 34 is already had a hidden serious injury.
During the off season , a precise Dissect of the team should be ,1. With 34 hidden injuries afflicting the team, and his performance heavily dependent on 16, who lacks a viable replacement will be a serious concern of the performance from the top line while. 2. 88 has consistently been unreliable and 91 is aging, coupled with Morgan's decline over the past two years, and both goalies being prone to injuries, with these disadvantages should signal a wise and seasoned GM to recognise the team's fragility. I am astounded during the off season he believes every factors from the team are all sets and his sole focus during off season should be upgrading on the bottom six; in my experience, when a GM prioritises enhancing the bottom lines, it typically indicates a team that is a clear favourite for the Cup. What a miss calculation by Dumb Tree. Truly as a normal fans you will make such a bias view however as a GM who gets a few millions dollars of salary is totally unacceptable.
Dumb Tree is a complete joke and a disgrace. Although he was dismissed from Calgary, where the team continues occupies at the bottom tier of the Western Conference
Should have an indication of his average ability. It is imperative to fire this Dumb Tree first and appoint a general manager with a more impressive track record. Allow this new GM to make decisions regarding both coaching and player acquisitions. If Dumb Tree continues to exert influence, we may soon see the arena filled with a third of empty seats.
How many more coaches to fire because of the players obviously the players style of playing ain’t gonna make them win the cup so the chief has the formula but they don’t want it. They are fucking lazy overpaid babies. Well too bad there are there to do a job their job is to follow what the coach wants and that’s it
Nelander needs to chill with his fashion. The guy gets dressed so fast to answer questions at the end of the game that’s pathetic like nobody cares. You’re acting like you’re a model. You’re not no model. You’re a hockey player. You’re not even close to a model. you look honestly you have the face of my 94 year-old grandmother bro play some effing hockey like serious
Every player who's played under Berube has nothing but good things to say about Berube. This falls on the players. How you can't blame the players after all these years is beyond me.