The mind is a powerful tool.
Unfortunately, much like the Toronto Maple Leafs` most skilled players, it can work both ways.
Since this pivotal playoff series shifted from a 2-0 Leafs lead to a 3-2 advantage for the Florida Panthers, the losing team`s own thoughts, worries, memories, and fears seem to be troubling Toronto as much as the Panthers` aggressive forecheck or elite goaltending.
Head coach Craig Berube, visibly disappointed and puzzled by his team`s poor performance in Game 5, stated, “We`ll discuss things, make some necessary adjustments. But for me, going into Game 6, it`s more about the mindset than anything else. It`s not about the X`s and O`s.”
It`s less about strategy and more about the dreadful feeling of “Oh no, it`s happening again.”
Berube elaborated to reporters on Thursday, “You get inside your head. You worry too much about the outcome instead of focusing on the process. That`s where it originates.”
The experienced hockey strategist isn`t known for overthinking himself. However, he`s witnessed these symptoms before and coached teams through them.
Tristan Blackwood