Berube talks about the importance of the Maple Leafs’ ‘next man up’ mentality amid ongoing injury problems

“I don’t think the mentality is changing,” he said. “I think you just have to keep playing. You know, we come back from the trip and had a great trip, but it’s about not being complacent tonight. Being ready to go from the puck here tonight. I don’t think there’s a lot of changes to our game depending on who’s in the net.”

Woll is just the latest victim of Toronto’s injury bug, with injuries to a number of top players for the Maple Leafs so far this season. It’s an unenviable situation for any team, but a reality you have to learn to deal with, Berube said.

“I’ve been involved in this before with injuries,” he said. “I mean, it’s part of it, and it’s definitely been tough because of the injuries. But other guys are coming in and stepping up, and that’s the job. That’s why you’ve been getting extra players, filling holes and playing well, and getting opportunities. It’s just a next-man-up mentality.”

The last time the Leafs played at Scotiabank Arena was in mid-November at the end of a dismal season for hockey. They then started to put everything together during their six-game road trip, now with four wins in their last five games. From Berube’s perspective, he’s not surprised that the time we spent together helped the team gel a bit more.

“Going out often, that’s it, you’re together, you play hockey,” he said. “They’re together all the time and just kind of formed a bond on the road. And I thought our team took that onto the ice, that’s what I saw.”

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER