Cooper Sees Subtle Differences In Leafs Under Berube: 'He's Got His Fingerprints On This Team'

If there is one NHL coach who can give an accurate read on the Toronto Maple Leafs, it would be two-time Stanley Cup winner Jon Cooper.

The bench boss of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off defeated the Leafs in the first round of the 2022 playoffs and lost to them 12 months later in six games.

The Lightning lost 5-3 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday, thanks to a four-goal performance from the Leafs top line of Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Tampa Bay has lost all three meetings to its Atlantic Division rival this season.

"It's the same cast characters," Cooper said post-game Monday. "We've got the same core. They have the same core. The Leafs have been a really good team for quite some time. We know what they're all about. They know what we're all about this year, and they're just a little bit better than us right now."

Tampa made some significant roster changes last summer, moving on from captain Steven Stamkos, trading Mikhail Sergachev to Utah, and re-acquiring defenseman Ryan McDonagh from Nashville.

Related: The Tampa Bay Lightning's Rebuild On The Fly Is A Mirage

The Maple Leafs addressed their defensive and goaltending needs by signing free-agent blueliners Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev and goalie Anthony Stolarz in free agency.

Toronto's biggest change may have been the shift from Sheldon Keefe to Craig Berube.

"Craig was in the West, so I never got to see him at ton," Cooper said. "I'm going to see him a lot more now. He's got his fingerprints on this team."

Related: NHL Trade Deadline Needs: Toronto Maple Leafs And Tampa Bay Lightning

Berube has the Leafs playing a more responsible, physical two-way game that is more conducive to playoff hockey.  GM Brad Treliving also added players with size to the roster to better fit his coach’s style. After 49 games, Toronto has cut its goals allowed per game from 3.18 (ranked 21st) last season to 2.90 (12th). Forwards Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty, along with defensemen Philippe Myers, have provided a healthy dose of hits.

“I think Craig's an outstanding coach, and he's a Stanley Cup champion," Cooper said. "He's had a massive influence. I think Sheldon (Keefe) did a hell of a job here, too. It's maybe a little different style, a little different mentality, but he's got those big boys playing well. They've got a good team."

The Maple Leafs currently lead the Atlantic Division with 62 points and are nine points ahead of the third-place Lightning, but these familiar foes could meet in the post-season a few months from now.

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