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Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube explained the timeout taken during the Los Angeles Kings 6-2 at the Scotiabank Arena to improve to 3-1 on the season.
There was a noticeable pause in the game when Berube utilized his 30-second timeout after the Kings had cut into Toronto's 5-0 lead. As Berube put it, he didn't feel that his team's intensity was enough:
"It was a feel thing for me last night, I didn’t like what we were doing. I just wanted to get a break there and bring everybody in and talk a little bit about getting the intensity level up more than anything.
"They were pushing hard, I thought they pushed hard in the second period too. Our intensity wasn’t good enough.”
Berube was hired by the Leafs after they terminated former coach Sheldon Keefe following their opening round Stanley Cup Playoff loss. Toronto hopes that Berube will bring a new level of accountability to a team that has only won one playoff series since 2004.
Considering his actions so far, Berube's system of accountability is already off and running.
Craig Berube scratched veteran forward Max Pacioretty against the Kings
Known for his no-nonsense approach to coaching, Craig Berube made the decision to scratch former Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty from the lineup.
However, as he put it, there was no message sent to the experienced forward and it was simply done in the team's best interest.
"There is no message," he said. "We have guys. We have extra players. Not everybody can play every night. That is the bottom line. He has been fine when he has played, but I have to make decisions as a coach. I am going to make those decisions based on what is best for the team."
Berube is clearly not playing favorites in his short tenure with the Maple Leafs, regardless of how long a player's resume could be.
Signed as a free-agent after earning a deal following a Professional Tryout Agreement, Pacioretty has scored once in three games with his new team. But it looks as though he will only be playing when Berube deems it fit for the Leafs.
Craig Berube and the Leafs next hit the ice on Saturday night against the visiting New York Rangers.
