Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube recently stunned fans and players alike with an unexpected announcement blunder. Before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the pre-game lineup announcement incorrectly listed Auston Matthews as the starting center between Nicholas Robertson and Steven Lorentz. However, Coach Berube had actually planned for Fraser Minten to start in that position.
Reaction from Coach and Players
Coach Berube expressed his surprise at the mistake, jokingly blaming the computer system, saying, “These computers screw everything up. We used to write (starting lineups) out on paper. I’d rather do that.” Matthews also shared his confusion, mentioning a previous incident where the Nashville Predators were penalized for a similar mistake. To avoid potential penalties, Matthews took the ice for the opening faceoff.
Game Outcome
Despite the initial confusion, the Maple Leafs went on to win the game 4-1 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Matthews scored a goal after a month-long drought, and Minten contributed with a crucial goal in the third period, restoring the team’s two-goal lead.
Speculation on Future Changes
There’s been speculation about potential changes within the team, especially after their loss to the Bruins. With management set to meet with the media, fans are anticipating possible significant changes. Some believe this could signal a new direction for the team, which has consistently made playoffs but fallen short of winning the Stanley Cup ¹ ².