Head coach Craig Berube faces a familiar coaching dilemma as the Toronto Maple Leafs return home with the series tied 2-2. How does he get more from his stars without losing what’s already working? Toronto’s offense, which exploded early in the series, was shut out in Game 4, and suddenly, the pressure is squarely on Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Matthews has yet to score in this series. Marner hasn’t registered a single shot on goal in two straight games. The depth guys have done their job, but if the Maple Leafs are going to win this series, their top players need to rise.
A New Challenge for Marner: Less Perfect, More Direct
Craig Berube didn’t hide his message when it came to Mitch Marner: shoot the puck. It’s not about overhauling his game—it’s about stripping it back. Marner is a pass-first player by instinct, but Berube’s made it clear that playoff hockey doesn’t reward hesitation.
The coach pointed to Marner’s lone shot in the past three games. Ironically, it was the game-winning goal in Game 2. It should serve as the model. No delay, no hesitation, just a quick release off the boards. That’s the version of Marner Toronto needs in Game 5: direct, decisive, and willing to generate greasy chances. Not every play has to be a highlight; some need to hit the net.
The Matthews Blueprint: Impact Beyond Goals
Auston Matthews might be banged up, but Berube isn’t asking for more goals—he’s asking for the same competitive level. While Matthews hasn’t scored, he’s been killing penalties, winning matchups, and doing the quiet work that playoff hockey demands.
The message from Berube is simple: trust the process. Stay patient. Keep pushing. The goals will come. In the meantime, Matthews’ physical presence and 200-foot game are still tipping the ice in Toronto’s favor. What Berube doesn’t want is frustration to creep in. The Maple Leafs captain still controls large portions of the game, even if the stat sheet doesn’t show it yet.
The Path to Game 5 Victory for the Maple Leafs
Berube isn’t tearing up the playbook. His faith in his team is intact, but the stars need to lean into the kind of gritty, simplified hockey that’s been winning games out west. Whether it’s Marner putting pucks on net or Matthews continuing to lead by example, Game 5 is about execution, not reinvention. If the top line can start matching the urgency and directness shown by the Oilers in their playoff run, the Maple Leafs have every chance to retake control of this series.
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