The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to suffer alternating highs and lows at the tail end of their first season under head coach Craig Berube, highlighted by a difficult 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. Frustrations are clearly mounting, with former captain John Tavares talking about how the team should be ‘pissed off’ following the game.

Speaking after an optional skate Tuesday morning ahead of the nighttime matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers, Berube addressed Tavares’ comments and the sentiment following the loss, after he himself criticized the team post-game.

“Yeah, I agree with that, I think they are upset about it for sure,” said the Maple Leafs bench boss. “You know, coming out of the first period we’re up 2-0, we’re in good shape, almost make it 3-0. But, it’s a learning lesson in my opinion that you can’t get impatient in your game and get away from your game and that’s what we did in the second period. Next thing you know, we’re down 3-2. So, yeah, nobody’s happy about it.”

The loss was especially tough to swallow at a time when the Leafs are chasing the top spot in the Atlantic, currently sitting just two points behind the division-leading Florida Panthers with a game in hand. As they gear up for their first playoff run under the Berube system, it’s not entirely inspiring to suffer such a crushing defeat to a team that is currently third last in the league with just 22 regulation wins this season.

Now, the team is turning their attention to a match against the struggling Flyers who have just one win in their last 11 games, with a chance to return to first in the division. Toronto won both games against Philadelphia this season and are looking for a third as Scott Laughton faces his former team for the first time.

The Leafs held an optional skate Tuesday morning, with many players opting to rest ahead of this crucial matchup. Berube says that’s the right call to prepare themselves for tonight’s test after a busy month.

“A lot of travel and we’re heading out again tomorrow,” he said. “We had a good practice yesterday … pretty good pace out there, so I don’t think there’s any need for anybody to go on the ice at this point. Yeah, if they wanna go touch it up, goalies like to get some shots, whatever. But we’re gonna need the energy tonight in the game.”