NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — HC Craig Berube calls out "weird" playing conditions at Dallas Stars rink while addressing Toronto Maple Leafs' sloppiness. (Image Source: Imagn)

HC Craig Berube calls out "weird" playing conditions at Dallas Stars rink while addressing Toronto Maple Leafs' sloppiness

Modified Dec 19, 2024 10:40 GMT

Following their defeat to the Red Wings last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs bounced back with consecutive wins, both ending with a 5-3 scoreline, the latest coming against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.

The Leafs delivered a dominant performance at the American Airlines Center, particularly in the second period, which secured their seventh straight win over the Stars.

Expand Tweet

However, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube described the conditions at the Stars' arena as strange. He acknowledged his team's slopiness during the game but suggested several contributing factors.

"It could be a number of things. The ice wasn’t good, and we just couldn’t make any clean plays out there. It was bouncing around. Guys were falling down. It was kind of a weird game, to be honest with you," Berube said (7:46).

When asked if the team's tight schedule was a factor in their slopiness, Berube dismissed the idea, saying that he wouldn't use the schedule as an excuse.

"(The schedule) is an excuse. I am not going to go there with it. We were fine. We traveled, and we had a day before we got here. That is not what played into it, in my opinion," he added.

With the win, the Toronto Maple Leafs are two points ahead of the Florida Panthers atop the Atlantic Division. The Leafs travel to KeyBank Arena to face the Buffalo Sabres next on Friday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.

How Toronto Maple Leafs downed Dallas Stars

On Wednesday, the Dallas Stars hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at the American Airlines Center.

Sam Steel gave the Stars the lead at 5:14 of the first period. Just over a minute later, Max Domi equalized for the Leafs, making it 1-1 before heading into the second period.

Expand Tweet

Evgeni Dadonov put the Stars up 2-1 22 seconds in. The Leafs responded with two quick goals in 16 seconds from William Nylander and Nicolas Robertson to take a 3-2 lead.

Bobby McMann's goal at 11:01 extended the Leafs' lead to 4-2 before the final period. Colin Blackwell cut the deficit at 17:44, but Nylander's empty-net goal sealed a dominant 5-3 win for the Maple Leafs.

Nylander and Robertson accumulated two points apiece for the Leafs in the win, while netminder Joseph Woll made 36 saves with a .923 SV% on the night.