Craig Berube calls out Joseph Woll following loss to Hurricanes: ‘You need a big save there’

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube appeared to single out goaltender Joseph Woll, following Friday’s overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Alexander Nikishin scored in overtime for the Hurricanes, propelling his team to a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs. After the game, Berube offered a candid critique of Woll’s performance.

“He’s played well,” Berube said of Woll. “Tonight, in the end, I think — I don’t think; I know — that we need a save, whether it is the OT or one of the breakaways. You just need a big save there.”

Woll started five of the past six games, and clearly took over as Toronto’s No. 1 goaltender this season. He made 32 saves in Friday’s loss, and saved 0.47 goals above expected in all situations, via Natural Stat Trick. Carolina out-attempted Toronto 78-43, and were clearly the superior team.

“They’re a quick team and they play hard, throughout the whole game,” Woll said post-game. “We were right there, again. I thought it was awesome by us to come back in that one and push it to overtime. Pretty solid game. I thought we did a good job, our D were great.”

Once again, it appears Berube’s assessment of his team is misguided. Woll has been one of the few constants for a Maple Leafs team that will miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Toronto has been outshot more often than any other team in the NHL, while Berube’s defensive system and principles have effectively eroded during a nightmare 2025-26 campaign. Although Toronto’s goaltenders haven’t performed to the same level as last season, it’s clear that Woll isn’t the primary issue with this team.

“I feel pretty solid in net,” Woll said, when asked for a self-assessment, while noting he’ll consult with goaltending coach Curtis Sanford.

Anthony Stolarz will start Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Stolarz is coming off a 36-save victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

PRESENTED BY SUNWING VACATIONS