Craig Berube wanted his hockey club to finish off 2025 strong, and the Toronto Maple Leafs delivered in a major way.

The Leafs were absolutely buzzing in all areas of the ice on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils, using a complete game to blank their former head coach Sheldon Keefe’s hockey club 4-0. From strong goaltending, effective special teams, a strong forecheck, and sound collective defensive-zone coverage, Berube couldn’t be happier with how his team played heading into the new year.

“Everybody contributing. Everybody did their job. The goaltender was really good. All around, it was pretty solid hockey by everybody. That is the one thing I take away from it: everyone was bought in.”

The Maple Leafs were playing severely shorthanded against the Devils, as Auston Matthews was a late scratch, William Nylander is still recovering from a nagging lower-body injury, while Dakota Joshua and Chris Tanev were ruled out. The next-man up mentality certainly helped Toronto stay aggressive against the Devils, and Berube is very satisfied with the team’s confidence level heading into 2026.

“I think we are playing a lot better. The puck play has been better. There have been a lot of things that have been better. Tonight, special teams were the difference in the game, but the team has confidence. They’re starting to understand how we need to do things. Everyone is buying into it. That is the biggest thing.”

The Maple Leafs move to 18-15-6 on the year, and sit just three points out of a playoff spot, even though they’ve been pounded with injuries all season long. They’ve also dealt with some adversity of late, including letting go assistant coach Marc Savard three days before Christmas. Regardless, the move has paid off in spades, as the Steve Sullivan-era is officially going strong with the new look power play, and the Leafs went to work with the man advantage on Tuesday night to open the scoring in the first period against New Jersey.

“When I watch it, and I am looking at it, it is just more direct and crisp. The passes are better. They’re not looking for a different option. It’s just, “make that play.” Pucks are going to the net, and we’re recovering and resetting them again. That is the biggest difference I see right now on the power play, and then the goals are around the net. That is where you score goals.”

Toronto will be able to enjoy the taste of victory heading into New Year’s Eve, however, they don’t waste anytime getting their 2026 schedule off and running, as they’ll host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. As far as closing the book on 2025, the Maple Leafs couldn’t be riding any higher at the moment, and take their newfound confidence, and collective effort into their next chapter.

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