Craig Berube’s post-game comments may have been measured, but the performance on the ice spoke volumes. The Maple Leafs executed a smart, disciplined game plan to perfection
By buying into a defense-first mentality and playing as a cohesive unit, they not only earned a win but sent a message to the rest of the league.
This version of the Maple Leafs isn’t just about goals and highlight-reel plays—it’s about doing the little things right.
If Berube continues to get this level of buy-in from his roster, Toronto fans may finally have a team that’s built for a deep playoff run.
In the NHL, every point matters—and Saturday’s single point may yet be the one that gets the Canadiens into the playoffs. But beyond the standings, Montreal showed it has something just as important: character.
Whether or not they clinch a playoff berth on Sunday or later this week, the Canadiens reminded fans and the league that they are a team to watch—not just for where they are now, but where they’re headed.
As Martin St. Louis put it, “Played with a lot of heart.” That heart, more than anything, could define Montreal’s return to hockey relevance.
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Martin St. Louis: “Proud of the Heart and Fight”
While the scoreboard didn’t favor Montreal, St. Louis focused on the intangibles post-game.1
“I’m really proud of the way the guys played. It’s a big point for our group, and not just the way we got the point,” he said, via TSN.
St. Louis praised his players for their heart, compete level, and mental toughness. Playing two games in two nights—especially with high stakes—takes a toll physically and mentally. Still, the Canadiens gave themselves a fighting chance and nearly came out with two points.
“We got to fight a little bit,” he added. “Played with a lot of heart.”
Nick Suzuki’s Steady Leadership Shines Through
As the team captain, Nick Suzuki continues to set the tone. After the loss, he reflected on the Canadiens’ position and how far the team has come this season.
“Most people didn’t see that,” Suzuki said, referring to the team’s playoff contention. “It’s nice to still be in the hunt.”
His statement underscores the Canadiens’ growth and resilience this season.
Many hockey experts predicted Montreal would be near the bottom of the standings, but Suzuki and his teammates have defied expectations and kept themselves in the postseason conversation deep into April.
The Montreal Canadiens came into Saturday night’s clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs knowing a win could punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, they left with a hard-fought point and a bitter 1-0 overtime loss.
Despite the defeat, head coach Martin St. Louis emphasized pride in the team’s performance, applauding their resilience during a grueling back-to-back stretch.
A Tight Contest Decided by a Moment
After playing the Ottawa Senators the night before, Montreal faced Toronto with playoff implications on the line.
The Canadiens knew that a win would clinch a postseason berth, but the Maple Leafs, short-staffed yet tenacious, found a way to edge out the victory.
Mitch Marner played the role of hero, scoring the lone goal of the game in overtime, lifting Toronto to victory in a low-scoring but emotionally charged matchup.
The Leafs outshot Montreal 35-15 in regulation, but the Canadiens were not short on effort. They managed to direct 57 pucks toward Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who turned in a stellar performance.
Martin St. Louis: Playoff Picture
Still Hanging in the Balance
The loss meant Montreal could not clinch a playoff berth on their own. Now, they must wait for outside help.2
The Blue Jackets, five points behind Montreal, are their primary competition.
A Columbus loss to Washington on Sunday—in regulation, overtime, or a shootout—would be enough to send Montreal to the postseason.
With two games remaining, the Canadiens still control much of their own destiny. However, avoiding reliance on other teams would’ve been the preferred route.
Their next matchup is against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, presenting another chance to solidify their playoff hopes.
This will be an amazing event to support a great initiative that promotes looking out/ caring for one another. See you there! https://t.co/A5d7uDrk8y
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) July 11, 2023
Grit on Display: Guhle vs. Domi
Saturday’s game was more than just a defensive battle—it had intensity, physicality, and emotion.
Kaiden Guhle brought energy and toughness, delivering a pair of big hits on Toronto players. That sparked a response from Max Domi, who dropped the gloves with Guhle.
The fight brought the crowd to its feet and injected additional passion into the game. Domi, a former Canadien himself, was assessed an extra minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving Montreal a power play opportunity.
Though they didn’t convert, the exchange reflected the game’s intensity and the playoff-like atmosphere.
Toronto’s Roster Constraints and Resilience
The Maple Leafs came into the game short-handed, dressing only 17 skaters due to a mix of injuries and salary cap limitations.
Missing key players like Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and David Kampf, they still managed to ice a competitive team.
Despite the depth issues, Toronto leaned on its top players to carry the load. Mitch Marner was the difference-maker in overtime, and goaltender Anthony Stolarz proved unshakeable, stopping all 15 shots he faced in regulation and the extra frame.
Martin St. Louis: The Canadiens’ Defensive Stand
While the final shot totals heavily favored Toronto, Montreal’s defensive structure kept them in the game.3
Goaltender Sam Montembeault was rock-solid, making 34 saves and giving his team every chance to win.
Montreal’s defenders blocked shots, cleared rebounds, and stayed disciplined in the defensive zone. Their effort neutralized many of Toronto’s high-danger chances, especially late in the third period when the game hung in the balance.
Special Teams: A Missed Opportunity
Montreal’s power play had chances to break the deadlock but ultimately came up short. With Toronto dressing fewer players and spending time in the penalty box, the Canadiens failed to capitalize on their man-advantage situations.
As the playoffs loom, sharpening their special teams could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run. Saturday’s game served as a reminder that playoff-caliber teams convert in key moments.
The mood after the game was one of emotional exhaustion mixed with cautious optimism. The Canadiens earned a point, showed their toughness, and gave everything they had—yet came up just short.
Still, the fight they displayed resonated with fans, coaches, and players alike. This is a team that believes in itself, and even in defeat, that belief was only strengthened.
What’s Next: Focus on Chicago
- All eyes now turn to Monday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s another winnable matchup and potentially a decisive one.
- Montreal will look to regroup, rest, and come out firing with the same intensity and heart that defined their battle with Toronto.
- Chicago has struggled this season, and the Canadiens will be favored to win.
- But as Saturday night showed, anything can happen—especially in the high-stakes atmosphere of a playoff chase.
- No matter how the season ends, the Canadiens’ journey this year has been one of growth.
- With a young core led by Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Kaiden Guhle, the future in Montreal looks promising. Martin St. Louis has installed a culture of accountability, effort, and belief.
- Saturday night’s performance—a gutsy, unified effort in front of a national audience—was a microcosm of what this team is becoming.
- A win would’ve been the storybook ending, but sometimes, the story is about the process, not just the result.
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Martin St. Louis: Berube’s Blueprint
A Defensive Identity for the Maple Leafs
In the wake of a solid 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, newly-appointed Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube made it clear that the team’s performance was no accident.
The win was a product of a meticulously executed game plan—one built around the bedrock of sound defensive play.
Speaking to the media, Berube emphasized that his team had followed their strategy with precision, executing a style that he has long advocated for: tight, responsible hockey.
Setting the Tone Early: Commitment to Defense
“We talked about just playing real good defense, tight, and I thought our team did that,” Berube said, via NHL.com. This single sentence sums up the identity shift Berube is trying to implement in Toronto.
Historically, the Maple Leafs have been known more for offensive flash than defensive discipline, but under Berube’s guidance, the tides may be turning.
By focusing on keeping the Canadiens to the outside and avoiding costly mistakes in their own zone, the Leafs managed to limit high-danger scoring chances.
According to Berube, the key wasn’t just the play of the defensemen, but a team-wide commitment to staying above the puck and supporting each other.
Team-Wide Buy-In: Forwards Playing Two-Way Hockey
What stood out most in Berube’s post-game comments was his praise for the forwards. “The forwards did a real good job of getting above people tonight,” he said, indicating that the defensive effort extended beyond the blue line.
In modern NHL systems, it’s essential for all five skaters to be in sync, especially when trying to establish a tight defensive structure.
Toronto’s forwards were clearly on board with this philosophy. By backchecking with purpose, cutting off passing lanes, and forcing turnovers, they played a pivotal role in neutralizing Montreal’s transition game. It’s a development that bodes well for Berube’s vision moving forward.
Strategic Risk: Operating with Five Defensemen
One of the most intriguing aspects of the game was the Maple Leafs’ decision to roll with only five defensemen. While potentially risky, it was a calculated move.
Berube explained that the coaching staff had discussed the strategy earlier in the day and implemented it with the goal of maintaining high energy levels throughout the blue line.
The players responded with discipline and smart positional play. By keeping shifts short and staying out of extended defensive-zone scrambles, they preserved energy and prevented breakdowns.
In many ways, it showcased the maturity and adaptability of the defensive corps—something Berube will need to rely on as the season progresses.
Martin St. Louis: Leadership on the Ice
Veterans Setting the Example
Veterans like Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, and T.J. Brodie were instrumental in executing Berube’s defensive game plan.
Despite being down a defenseman, the veteran core kept things calm and organized.
Their ability to read plays, break up rushes, and quickly transition the puck up the ice was key to maintaining flow and rhythm.
Berube’s trust in his veteran leaders is evident. He’s empowering them to lead by example and guide younger players through the nuances of his system. This balance of experience and energy could prove invaluable come playoff time.
A Season Series Tilted in Toronto’s Favor
With the win, Toronto now leads the season series against Montreal 3-1.
While individual regular-season games often fade into the background over an 82-game campaign, dominance over a historic rival like the Canadiens is always significant.
It boosts team morale, strengthens inter-divisional confidence, and sends a message that this Leafs squad is to be taken seriously.
Under Berube, these games take on even more importance. He understands the emotional weight of rivalry games and is using them as opportunities to instill mental toughness and competitive fire within his roster.
Discipline and Detail: Foundations of the Berube System
- There’s no mistaking the hallmarks of a Craig Berube-coached team: disciplined positioning, relentless forechecking, smart puck management, and above all, attention to detail.
- The game against Montreal highlighted all of these traits.
- Toronto took few penalties, avoided costly giveaways, and rarely got caught out of position.
- This level of detail-oriented hockey doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the product of preparation, buy-in, and trust in the system. And perhaps most importantly, it’s sustainable.
- If the Leafs can continue to play this style of hockey—tight defensively, aggressive on the forecheck, and structured in transition—they will be well-positioned for postseason success.
- For a team that has faced playoff heartbreak in recent years, a defensive resurgence under Berube might be the missing ingredient.
- While there’s still plenty of hockey left to play, this win against the Canadiens offers a glimpse into what this team could become. And if Berube has his way, it’s only the beginning.
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