Craig Berube gets 100% real about Toronto Maple Leafs players' uptick in fighting majors since he became head coach

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has noticed an uptick in fighting majors among his players since taking over behind the bench this season.

Eleven different Leafs players have dropped the gloves and earned fighting majors since Berube took over, a significant increase from previous seasons.

Players like Max Domi, Jake McCabe, and Ryan Reaves are known enforcers, but even skilled players like Morgan Rielly and Philippe Myers have gotten into scraps lately.

After Saturday's 3-1 win over the Kings, where defenseman Brandon Carlo fought Jeff Mallot, Berube was asked about the increased fisticuffs.

"It's very important you stand up for yourself. And not everybody. Look, first and foremost, I don't expect people to fight. Stand up for yourself. And the guys do that. We push back. We're not gonna get pushed around," Berube said plainly. (7:17)

The Maple Leafs got goals from Auston Matthews and John Tavares (two goals). Alex Laferriere scored for the Kings. Anthony Stolarz stopped 36 shots in the win. Darcy Kuemper has 23 saves for the Kings.

With the win, the Maple Leafs (44-25-4) moved back into first place in the Atlantic Division with 92 points.

Next, the Leafs face the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

Maple Leafs' Brandon Carlo fought Kings' Jeff Mallot

In the first period, Brandon Carlo and Jeff Mallot dropped their gloves and grabbed each other's jerseys, beginning a 24-second bout filled with a flurry of right-handed punches. The referees later separated the players.

Both Carlo and Mallot headed to the penalty box, where they could be seen laughing and Mallot giving Carlo a thumbs up.

When later asked if he knew that Jeff Mallot's brother Mike is a UFC fighter, Brandon Carlo said:

"Not at all, but knowing that information, I'm thankful I'm not knocked out right now. So that's good to know, and I'll definitely do a little bit more research next time."

Carlo has a history of concussions, having suffered six documented head injuries over his career.