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Craig Berube points to mental grind, lack of patience as reasons for loss vs. Wild
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jan 20, 2026, 11:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 19, 2026, 23:34 EST
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The Toronto Maple Leafs fell 6-3 to the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, being outshot 38-30 and giving up six goals allowed for the third time in the team’s past four games. 
Monday night’s game was the Leafs’ fifth game in the past eight days and the beginning of seven games in 13 days to close out the month of January. The packed stretch of games, along with the long road trip, could have played a role in the Leafs’ slow start on Monday evening. 
“It’s a tough travel schedule, mixed in with a lot of late nights on the road trip,” Maple Leafs’ head coach Craig Berube said. “That’s where you have to be smarter, manage the game a little bit better.” 
Facing a Wild team that now finds themselves third in the National Hockey League with a record of 28-13-9 through 50 games, the Leafs weren’t at the level they needed to be to come away with much-needed points. 
“We talked before the game, it’s a mental grind tonight,” Berube said. “You need to do things right, you need to be patient and smart and I thought we didn’t do that well enough tonight and it cost us the game.” 
When speaking to the media post-game, Berube specifically pointed out three moments in the game that played a role in the Leafs finding themselves on the losing end.
“We made three mistakes, the line change goal, two penalty goals against,” Berube said. “We just weren’t detailed enough in certain areas and it cost us the hockey game, made a good push in the third, but it was too late.”
Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll was pulled after the second period, after surrendering five goals on 29 shots, the second straight game Woll allowed five-plus goals, after giving up six against Vegas. Berube wasn’t worried post-game about the 27-year-old net-minder. 
“I think he’s battling a little bit, with traffic and stuff like that,” Berube said. “He’ll be fine.”
The Maple Leafs continue their five-game home stand on Wednesday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop set for 7 p.m. EST. 

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