Maple Leafs must respond with emotion, defence against Bruins

BOSTON — Craig Berube says he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs are still buying into his defensively stingy game plan even as theyâ€re giving up more goals per game (3.75) than any other team in the conference.

“I do think the buy-in is there. I think that we do it well at times, but just the consistency is not there,†the head coach said Tuesday at Bostonâ€s TD Garden ahead of a game against the Bruins. “But also, weâ€re scoring a lot of goals. And I think sometimes we think about scoring more than we think about our play without the puck.

“We canâ€t be trying to make all these plays high-ice turnovers in the O-zone, turnovers at the blue line. That kills your team. It kills the momentum. It kills everything.â€

All those clean breakaways and juicy 2-on-1s going the other way, all those ill-advised pinches and half-hearted backchecks, theyâ€re eating at a coach who is asking for more urgency from a group that gave up 10 goals and lost both halves of its back-to-back over the weekend.

The Leafs flew to Boston Monday and held a team meeting on their off-day. They pored over film and promised to tidy up their mistakes.

“Defensively, we put ourselves in some tough spots with the turnovers. You know, it just really puts stress on everybody with the turnovers,†Berube said.

“We can just be firmer and harder in our own zone and winning more of those battles. I mean, Carolina came out with the puck too much (in Sundayâ€s 5-4 loss). We had numbers in there, and ended up they come up with a puck, and now weâ€re extended in our zone.â€

Berube and GM Brad Treliving tossed around the idea of subbing in Dakota Mermis or possibly reaching down to the farm (puck mover Henry Thrun is excelling at the AHL level) to give their blue line a fresh look.

But the Leafs will stick with the same pairs Tuesday against the Bruins, including Philippe Myers (minus-5), the righty who has struggled since replacing the injured Chris Tanev.

Mermis and Thrun are both lefties, and Berube is concerned about the handedness balance already. Inserting another left shot could create more problems, he argued.

The one significant change Toronto is making in advance of the rematch is splitting superstars Auston Matthews and William Nylander in light of losing last change.

“I do like Willy with Matthews, but I think at the same time, itâ€s nice to have a little bit more threat on two lines,†Berube said.

Bubbling as a secondary storyline here is Nikita Zadorovâ€s injurious hit on Scott Laughton Saturday, which sparked a fight from Bobby McMann and some objectionable comments from Berube.

“Well, nobody would be happy with that. Itâ€s a tough hit,†Berube said. “It should inject some fire in you, for sure. But we donâ€t want to be stupid either. We gotta play the game.

“Yeah, opportunity arises to get a good lick on a guy, get a lick on a guy.â€

The Leafs are downplaying the revenge angle, but Toronto and Boston both rank top five in hits per 60. Tuesdayâ€s will be a physical, intense affair.

“I think thatâ€s any time with a divisional opponent. Thereâ€s lots of history with divisional opponents, and you want to do well in your division, so that obviously adds to it,†Jake McCabe said.

“But itâ€s no different than wanting to get two points regardless.â€

One-Timers: Joseph Woll is scheduled to play a full game with the Marlies in Grand Rapids Wednesday and should rejoin the big club after that if all goes well…. Laughton (upper body) did not travel with the team but was aiming to skate Tuesday in Toronto…. Mermis and Calle Järnkrok are the projected scratches…. Bostonâ€s top defenceman, Charlie McAvoy, returns to the lineup…. Anthony Stolarz, who was chased Saturday, and Jeremy Swayman start for their respective clubs in a goaltending rematch.

Maple Leafs projected lineup Tuesday in Boston:

Knies – Matthews – Robertson
McMann – Tavares – Nylander
Joshua – Roy – Maccelli
Lorentz – Domi – Blais

Rielly – Carlo
Benoit – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Myers

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