It seems like the Berube Effect is real for the Toronto Maple Leafs

There is a new phenomenon called the “Berube Effect” in Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs have gradually transitioned from past, not-so-desirable habits, to a more focused and structured approach.

Of course, we are just eight games into the Berube Era, and almost all of this can be accounted for by confirmation bias, but at least all signs are pointing in the right direction for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is what Craig Berube promised when he took over from Sheldon Keefe last spring, and its the narrative that the media constantly tries to drive home: That Berube’s arrival signaled a new era in Toronto and is, in many ways, it was a return to Mike Babcock’s old-school approach from nearly a decade ago.

Most of this is just derived from Berube's demeanor and credentials as a former enforcer. In reality, he may be a hard-ass, but he's a far better communicator, and way more of a "players coach" than Mike Babcock and its not fair to paint Berube with the same brush.

It seems like the Berube Effect is real for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Berube’s hard-nosed, tough-love approach promised to do away with the mental issues that seemingly kept the Leafs from reaching that next step. Of course, that's all narrative, even if it seems real. The Leafs GM brought in next to no reinforcements at last year's trade deadline, and kept a goalie who was on waivers in February on the roster for the playoffs, so in this case, there is likely little to no truth in the narratives.

Still, even knowing that, it does seem like Berube is making a difference. I must admit. I wasn’t entirely convinced after the first couple of games this season, but when the Leafs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and blew out the Los Angeles Kings I became convinced.

But it was the Kings’ game that stands out as a particularly interesting point. With the Leafs up 5-0, the club went back into its predictable pattern of trying to cruise through the third period. When the Kings made it 5-2, Berube wasn’t having any of it. He called a time-out and spoke his mind.

The “talk” worked. The Leafs buckled down and took the game 6-2.

That’s the Berube Effect in action. In the past, previous coaches might have tried a pep talk to keep the team going. Instead, Berube made sure his team knew what he expected of them. He wasn’t going to let anyone off the hook. That attitude spilled over into the next two games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have passed their toughest test thus far

The Leafs have played two of their toughest opponents in the New York Rangers and archnemesis Tampa Bay Lightning.

On Saturday night, the Leafs hung tough against the Rangers. The final score did not reflect the game’s true outcome. The empty-netters by the Rangers did not mask the fact that the Leafs played well overall.

Then, the Leafs handled the Tampa Bay Lightning with relative ease on Monday night. But here’s where the Berube Effect has taken hold. The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the third period with a 5-1 lead after exploding for four goals in the second.

Instead of cruising in the third, the Leafs continued pouring it on. While the Bolts added a late power play to make it 5-2, the Leafs did not hold on for dear life down the stretch. They were in control and left little room for the Bolts to come back.

During the telecast, the commentators pointed out that the Leafs had blown a lot of third-period leads last season. Well, that wasn’t the case against Tampa.

So far, so good. But the next test, perhaps the biggest test of the season, will come next Saturday night when the Leafs face another of their demons: The Boston Bruins. Whether the Leafs win or lose, they need to show they can tango with the Bruins.

The Berube Effect, with all of its physicality and tough-hitting nature, could make the difference against a Bruins’ team that’s as nasty as ever. The Leafs need to give Boston the same treatment it did Tampa Bay. If that’s the case, the Leafs could look like a playoff team in early November.