Craig Berube explains why Dakota Joshua needed reset before returning to Leafs’ lineup

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua will be returning to the lineup for Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals, after being listed as a healthy scratch for Wednesday’s win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Joshua hasn’t met preseason expectations, with two goals and five points in 22 games, while failing to provide plus-defence for a Maple Leafs team that is struggling to keep the puck out of the net. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube explained in detail what he wants to see from Joshua going forward for the rest of the season.

“Getting to his identity,” Berube said of Joshua, following Thursday’s practice. “He is a big guy. He has to be a physical and hard player to play against. He is going to make and score his goals around the net, right? A little more puck touches in the offensive zone from the forecheck, and then getting to the net front and winning those battles there and tipping pucks. He has good hand-eye. He has the capability of putting the puck in the net.

“That is where I see his game can improve, but it is about getting there. From our zone out, it is about anticipating and being direct — not only him, but his linemates, and putting him in a good spot on the forecheck. If a puck enters the zone under control, get to the net and do your work there. Disrupt the other team that way, and make it hard. They don’t want to box him out. He is a big guy. He can be more engaged that way.”

Joshua is keenly aware that he needs to improve, and opened up about the instruction he received from his head coach.

“We need more out of you. And I agree with him. And I have no arguments with that. I need more out of myself, and so does the team,” Joshua told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox on Thursday.

It’ll be compelling to see whether Wednesday’s scratch serves as a catalyst for change in Joshua’s season, with the Maple Leafs looking to turn their season around during this road trip.