Maple Leafs’ Dakota Joshua needed ‘reset’ by being benched

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When Craig Berube has seen enough Dakota Joshua in the right places, he made the striker disappear from Wednesday's lineup.

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Coach expects his bench – Joshua could only watch as the Maple Leafs rallied for the win. emotional 2-1 overtime win over Columbus — will help point the offense in the right direction Friday in Washington.

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After providing the media in Washington with a list of districts where Joshua can improveBerube said he is back with the team and expects changes from the usually aggressive forward, who was acquired by general manager Brad Treliving over the summer in search of additional toughness.

“To figure out your personality,” Berube urged, remembering that the 2023-24 version of Joshua scored a career-best 32 points in Vancouver and was plus-19 with 60 penalty minutes and eight playoff points.

“He's got to be a strong, strong player to play against. He's going to score goals in the net, (so he needs) a little more touches of the puck in the offensive zone with the forecheck, getting to the net, winning those battles and turning pucks over.”

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The bench coincides with a meaningless series

Joshua's two goals came in back-to-back games more than a month ago, and he hadn't scored a point since Nov. 5 before Berube finally sat him and fellow rookie Matias Macchelli on Wednesday to make room for return of Auston Matthews, Matthew Nice and Nicholas Roy.

“He has good hand and eye (coordination) and is capable of scoring goals,” the coach added. “But it's about getting there. From our zone, anticipating and being direct. Not just him, but his linemates (Roy and Bobby McMann, according to recent practice lines) to put him in a good spot for the forecheck.”

“Get to the net and disrupt the order, make it difficult for the other team. They don't want to box him, he's a big guy (6-foot-3, 218 pounds). I think he can get more attention that way.”

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Berube finds no fault with the 29-year-old Michigan native's overall effort, and Joshua once again told reporters on Thursday that he was disappointed by the start recent team battles and high expectations when it was purchased. Based on the fact that they were making diminishing profits on a three-year, $3.25 million contract, Vancouver parted ways with Joshua for fourth round pick.

The Leafs had one win in eight games and were last in the conference before Wednesday's win.

“I felt like he needed a reboot, and sometimes that leads to a little fire (healthy scratches),” Berube said. “That's part of it. It's my job, but as a player it's hard.”

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Coach says Joshua's team needs 'more from you'

Defenseman Dakota Mermis, who ranks last on the list of the Leafs' most recognizable names, has one fewer goal than Joshua and went toe-to-toe with Montreal power forward Florian Czekai a week ago.

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“(Berube) said, ‘We need more from you,’ and I agree,” Joshua said. “There's no arguing about it. I need more from myself, and from the team too. I need to be better.”

“There's a lot of hockey left to make a difference, and that's what I plan to do. Turn it on so I can have more control of the game with my teammates and be more connected there. I take that as the guy who disrupts the game and makes it difficult for the other team.”

William Nylander, Wednesday's overtime hero, was cleared to practice but will face the Caps. The Leafs play again Saturday in Pittsburgh, so anyone parked on Friday could end up playing the Dennis Hildeby-led Penguins after Joseph Wall made 36 shots in Columbus.

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