Berube also is keen on running a “two at the net” system while outnumbering the opposing defenders.
When Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored his 10th goal of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, it wasn’t the highlight-reel play fans have become accustomed to with his style. Instead, it was a textbook example of the gritty, net-front approach that head coach Craig Berube wants to see more often.
Following practice on Monday in Newark, New Jersey, ahead of the club's matchup with the Devils, Berube reflected on Marner’s goal and the Maple Leafs’ execution of a “two at the net” system - which emphasizes traffic in front of the opposing goaltender and outnumbering defenders in key scoring areas.
“I like the greasy goals,” Berube said with a smile. “I think in general, we want to try to keep improving on that because as it gets tighter and as you go throughout the year in the playoffs, it's hard to score fancy goals and cute goals.”
Marner’s goal against the Penguins came with a hectic scene in front of goaltender Tristan Jarry. Alongside Marner was forward Max Pacioretty, who recently returned from injury, and two Penguins defensemen battling for positioning. The result? A messy, opportunistic goal that illustrated Berube’s philosophy.
“You've got to score greasy goals around the net,” he added. “We talk about ‘two at the net’ all the time. And that goal, there's two at the net. I mean, we just got to keep harping on that. Our D last game shot a ton of pucks. And they got him off and got him to the net. And that was a real good sign. Our D were up in the play more. So, you're skating better.”
Berube also expanded on the importance of outnumbering opponents around the crease, mentioning that there are a plethora of goals scored off of broken plays in the dirty areas. He even went as far as saying that games are won in those parts of the ice.
“Outnumbering people that have two at the net most of the time defensively,” Berube explained. “You've got to have numbers there. It's important to have numbers inside for rebounds and things like that. So many goals are scored off tips and rebounds and broken plays around the net. If you don't have numbers there, you're not going to win. You're not going to get the puck. They're going to get the puck.”
Regardless, Berube’s emphasis on greasy goals and a strong net-front presence isn’t just about regular-season success. It’s a philosophy built for the postseason, where games are tight and there is little margin for error.
That is the reason the club brought him in, after all.
Put a Staple on Secondary Scoring
As Berube put it, as a club they “want to try to keep improving on that (secondary scoring).” For instance, forward Nick Robertson has just two goals in 23 games with the team this season while Max Domi, who is nearing his return, has yet to find the back of the net this season in 19 games.
“I think for him (Domi), and a lot like Nick Robertson, they've got to get on the inside more and get around that net and score some decent goals. And we need them to. We need those guys. We need secondary scoring.”
The lack of production from players like Robertson and Domi highlights the importance of spreading the offensive beyond the team’s top stars. With both players who hold potential offensively, Berube has continued to emphasize the need for a mindset that prioritizes net-front battles and high-percentage opportunities.
Marner’s goal against Pittsburgh, for example, was a clear example of this approach paying off.
With the Maple Leafs facing the Devils on Tuesday evening, the bench boss will look for his team to continue embracing the gritty and tenacious playstyle – which overall, they’ve adapted to nicely holding an overall 16-9-2 record and going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.
