The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the holiday break in the win column, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Tuesday night. After dropping five of their previous six contests, it’s a welcome result for a team that has seen their fair share of difficulties this month.
Amidst Toronto’s recent struggles, head coach Craig Berube has been in the hot seat, though rumours of an incoming dismissal were quieted this morning. Speaking after the win, Berube shared what he liked from the team’s performance in the victory.
“I thought our game got better after the first, second was really good,” he said. “We scored tonight, that’s the difference. It’s good to see Willy get one, and other guys, Max (Domi), a nice goal. You score goals, you win.”
Nylander was one of the stars of the show against the Penguins, scoring his first goal in 11 games, then later adding an empty-netter. Playing him alongside John Tavares and Matias Maccelli on Tuesday, it’s the kind of performance Berube has been looking for out of the Swedish forward, as he touched on what he liked from Nylander’s game.
“Taking pucks to the net more than anything,” Berube said. “Getting open, driving it. Again, that line makes a lot of plays, which is good to see.”
Nylander finished the night with four points total, with a feed on Maccelli’s goal and later a secondary assist on a beauty from Max Domi, who went coast-to-coast for his first goal since late October.
MAX DOMI!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/3yMPUuZUt7
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) December 23, 2025
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After the game, Berube praised Domi’s efforts, saying he liked a lot from the 30-year-old beyond just his goal.
“He did a lot of good things tonight,” Berube said. “He had other opportunities that didn’t go in, thought he could’ve shot a little bit more. He did great tonight, brought a lot to that line.”
With the win, the Maple Leafs manage to enter the holiday break on a high note. Berube joked that they’re “gonna have a better Christmas” because of it, and expanded on what they’ll be taking away from the win.
“I think our play has been better with the puck, just having to capitalize and tonight we capitalized,” Berube said. “So just try to keep doing what we’re doing and banging away at it. There’s always things you have to work on and fix, but it’s getting the confidence back and the puck play back. It’s been a lot better.”
Toronto now has four days off before returning to Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night, set to host the Ottawa Senators for the Battle of Ontario.