Although it took some time, Marner believes Toronto is getting used to a Berube system, which is harder to play on a game-by-game basis.
The Toronto Maple Leafs may still be getting used to new head coach Craig Berube's systems, but they're having success through 26 games.
Toronto is tied for first in the Atlantic Division with the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers. They're getting great goaltending, strong defense, and scoring when they need it most.
Ahead of the Maple Leafs matchup against the Washington Capitals on Friday, TSN's James Duthie spoke with Mitch Marner about several topics, including Berube's systems.
The 27-year-old enjoys Berube's system but admitted that "maybe" it's harder to play game-by-game.
"I think we've done a good job of not forcing things and [when] stuff's not going well in the first period or second period, just kind of saying screw it and doing our own thing and kind of just going wildman out there," Marner told TSN.
"So, that's something we just got to keep doing and keep being patient with our game and let it just kind of rollover."
One of the most recent examples was on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators. Toronto went into the second intermission down by a goal before scoring three in the third period and winning the game 3-2.
"We gotta stick with it. It's a tight game, I get it, not a lot of room out there. We're gonna win this game," said Berube during the second intermission against Nashville.
"We gotta amp it up, okay? We gotta win every puck battle and we gotta skate, go north here, and get after this game."
Toronto has been one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season, allowing just 66 goals through 26 games, the third-least in the league. Much of that is their defensive structure, but Toronto's goaltending with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll also plays a huge role.
Marner said on Friday that Toronto wanted the new system nailed down right away so they'd have success once the season got underway.
"That was a big point we want to really just push forward to, and be, a lot better in. There are a lot of kudos to our goalies. They made some big saves in some big moments to keep the games how they are and to keep pucks out of our net," Marner said.
"So, big kudos to those two in net, but I think guys are buying in more, blocking shots too and getting back and helping each other out and we're communicating a lot in our D zone which makes it easy to break out, and when you do that, you get in the offensive zone a little more and you can control the play a little better."
The Maple Leafs have lost only three of their last 10 games and are 16-8-2 this season, securing the seventh-best record in the NHL. After a rough start on the man advantage, their power play has found its footing. Toronto's penalty kill has also been quite impressive this year.
The Maple Leafs are a different team under Berube, but the big question is: Will their fate be different in the playoffs this year?
