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Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube gives blunt explanation for scratching Max Pacioretty
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a surprising move by scratching Max Pacioretty before the game against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. The Leafs won the game 6-2, improving their record to 3-1-0 to start the season.
After the game, head coach Craig Berube was asked about his decision to sratch Pacioretty.
He gave a straightforward explanation:
"It is just the decision I made. That’s it...There is no message. 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."
Pacioretty was dealing with multiple Achilles injuries that caused him to miss significant time in recent seasons.
“It’s been a lot. It’s never easy to change teams. And under these circumstances, even more so,” Pacioretty said. “I liked my first game. Second game was pretty good. Didn’t like my last game. I want to start trending in the right direction and build some games together.”
He had played in all three of the Leafs' games so far this season, notching one goal across those appearances.
Craig Berube's comments regarding the Maple Leafs' 6-2 win over the Kings
Following the Leafs' dominant 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night, head coach Craig Berube was very pleased with his team's performance.
In his post-game media availability, Berube highlighted the excellence of Toronto's special teams and goaltending.
"I thought our special teams were excellent. The goalie was really good. We had a good first period and got a lead. In the second period, they came out and pushed hard early. I thought we regained our poise and our game a little bit. In the third, I thought we were just a little bit sloppy."
On Stolarz's performance, Berube raved about the young goalie's calmness and composure in net.
"It is important, not only for the goalie but everybody. Body language is big. Composure is huge. Stoly had great composure tonight in the net. That team shoots a lot of pucks from up top with traffic all the time, but he was really poised in the net tonight." Berube remarked.
The Maple Leafs next face the New York Rangers on Saturday.
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