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Maple Leafs Coach Had Excuses After Loss to Capitals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 9:34 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped yet another road game Friday night, blowing a two-goal lead and watching the Washington Capitals storm back for a 4–2 win.

The defeat marked Toronto’s ninth straight game without a regulation win and dropped its record to 2–7–0 away from home.

Toronto gave up three unanswered goals in the third period alone and four overall, including the game-winner from Jakob Chychrun and a late empty-netter by Tom Wilson.

After the loss, head coach Craig Berube offered a blatant reason for the Leafs' collapse.

“We had three breakaways. And we got to finish. We didn’t finish,” Berube said. “If we finish better tonight, we win this game.”

️| Craig Berube | Post Game vs. Washington Capitals | Nov 28 pic.twitter.com/RYsmVKEfZm
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 29, 2025

The Capitals outshot the Leafs 34–22 and could use the same reasoning Berube did to say they could have ended Friday's game with a much larger victory had they capitalized on more chances.

Leafs goalie Joseph Woll made 30 saves on 33 shots to keep the score close for a while, but more defensive mistakes and lack of puck control by his teammates allowed Washington to take over late.

Toronto led 2–0 after goals from Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies, but Connor McMichael started the Capitals' comeback late in the second period. The Leafs then surrendered goals to Anthony Beauvillier and Chychrun in the final seven minutes.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) talks with his teammates.Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Berube acknowledged the team’s defensive breakdowns in the third as contributing factors for the loss.

“We did a good job getting the lead. We killed those penalties and scored off one. We had our looks, too,” Berube said. “We just didn’t capitalize on some of them, and we made a couple of mistakes in the defensive zone in the third period.”

Toronto now sits at 10–11–3 and seventh in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs continue their road trip Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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