Darren Dreger singles out 'real big red flag' for HC Craig Berube amid Toronto Maple Leafs' powerplay struggles

NHL insider Darren Dreger talked about the Toronto Maple Leafs' struggles with their power play on the "First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo" podcast on Monday. Dreger mentioned Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks as an example.

The Maple Leafs' offense is strong, with Mitch Marner leading the team with 59 points. However, their power play is ranked No. 19 at 20.6%, and their penalty kill is No. 3 at 83.6%.

"I can appreciate what Mitch Marner is trying to do, but in this case, that's not the way anyone saw that game," Dreger said. "And I'd be surprised if that we felt that game played out. I would agree with the assessment of the panel, and furthermore, by Craig Berube, who talked about how he needs more life and energy."

Dreger explained that the power play looks disjointed.

"They feed off emotional, most players do." Dreger said. "So for me, that Saturday game against the Canucks is more of a one-off. What isn't a one-off is the power play. They just can't find a way to get that thing going. It's like there are five strangers playing out there, doesn't make sense."

The Maple Leafs' brief success with five forwards faded quickly.

"To me, the shorthanded chances against for the Toronto Maple Leafs is hitchhiking." Dreger said. "It's inexplicable, and that has to be a real big red flag for Craig Berube trying to sort things out."

After the loss vs. the Canucks, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said the team lacked pace and didn't generate enough offense. They had just two shots on three power plays.

Berube pointed out that the puck movement was poor, and the team wasn’t connected on breakouts or in the neutral zone. He felt their play was slow and didn’t create momentum in the game.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube plans to use five forwards on power play

Following the loss to Canucks, Berube again tried five forwards on the power play in Monday’s practice. It features Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly on the top unit. The second unit consisted of Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson.

Despite the power play issues, the Maple Leafs are doing well overall. They have a 27-15-2 record and are first in the Atlantic Division.