It’s all business for Craig Berube.

There’s no doubt an air of tension in Toronto as the Maple Leafs prepare to take on the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the Battle of Ontario. While Toronto still holds a 3-2 series lead, momentum has shifted in Ottawa’s favour after back-to-back wins.

After blowing the chance to put away the series twice now, the Leafs get another go at it in the nation’s capital Thursday. Speaking to media Thursday morning, Toronto’s head coach shared the team’s mood heading into the crucial matchup.

“Business-like, let’s go,” Berube said. “We’re ready to go. Business. Let’s go.”

Given the Leafs’ recent dismal history in potential series-clinching games (now 1-13 in their last 14 tries), it’s clear Berube understands what’s at stake. His first year at the helm of this group has been marked by a no-nonsense, direct approach, preparing the team for key moments like this.

With that in mind, Game 6 is a huge test for Berube to motivate his team to ignore the anxieties of Leafs fans finding this situation all too familiar. To focus on the present moment and find their way back to the strong hockey they’ve been able to play throughout this year, and through the beginning of this series. The Leafs have a job, and they need to get it done. It’s that simple.

Berube’s talk of a business-like mentality for the Leafs also extends to the accountability he’s instilled across his roster in his tenure so far. While there’s always a lot of talk about the Core Four needing to step up in crucial moments, Berube spoke Wednesday about the needed team effort to put this series away.

“It’s on everybody on the team,” Berube said. “I get it. That’s all I hear around here: core, core, core, the Core Four. But, it’s on everybody on the team. We’re a team, it’s on the whole team. It’s not just four guys.”

That being said, it would be great if the Core Four could step up and take care of business as well, paid over $45 million between them. With a few tweaks to the lineup in place for Game 6, Berube is hoping the team can lock in and get the job done tonight, avoiding the prospect of this one going to a Game 7.