"Got to be better" - Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube sends clear message to team ahead of return from Christmas break

Craig Berube has enjoyed a good start to his first season as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs sit second in the Atlantic Division having racked up 44 points, with a 21-12-2 record through 35 games this season.

While we won't know for sure until we see the results in the playoffs, the Craig Berube effect on the team has appeared to be successful to this point. Toronto has overcome lots of adversity through 35 games, particularly missing its captain and best player Auston Matthews for 11 games.

The Maple Leafs went 7-2-0 in Matthews' original absence, showing resiliency and good structured hockey. However, the two games during their captain's second injury stint this season haven't gone so well as the Maple Leafs have gone 0-2-0 and been outscored 11-5.

Head coach Craig Berube shared his feelings on his team's recent performance against Winnipeg in Friday's pregame media availability.

"We had chances to score in that game. The last couple didn't go in. What is more concerning for me though is that we gave up three goals to Winnipeg, in my opinion, that can be easily corrected. You know, again, I talk about details, stick details, little things, you know, that we got to do better. We got to be better, you know? And that's the focus," said Berube. (8:30 onwards)

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Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs will be without Auston Matthews for the next two games

Auston Matthews has been ruled out for tonight's game in Detroit against the Red Wings and the second half of the back-to-back tomorrow at home against the Washington Capitals. It will be the 12th and 13th game of the season where the Maple Leafs will be without the services of their captain.

After he re-aggravated his upper-body injury on December 20th against Buffalo, the Leafs lost their next two games without Matthews at home in convincing fashion. Craig Berube certainly wasn't pleased with his team's efforts and defensive play before the Christmas break. They will need to clean up their mistakes if they want to track down the Florida Panthers (46 points) for first place in the Atlantic division.

It remains to be seen when Matthews will be healthy enough to return to the Maple Leafs lineup. For now, Berube and his Maple Leafs will battle the Red Wings tonight in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST.