Urgency and Details: Berube emphasized the lack of urgency and attention to detail, particularly in the first two periods. “Their three goals were all about losing battles inside the blue line. We didn’t win enough battles there in that area of the game. It is urgency, for me, and details that weren’t there in the first two periods.”

Third-Period Turnaround: “When we decided to have urgency and do things the right way, we were a way better team in the third, but you are behind. Sometimes, you don’t come back. We had chances, but that is what happens.”

Attitude and Accountability: Berube expressed concern about the team’s lack of urgency from the start. “It is an attitude that we have to have from the start of the game. It is hockey, right? There are certain stretches you go through where it is not there. You just keep battling as a coach. You have to hold your players accountable to it, and they have to hold themselves accountable to it.”

Early Game Strategy: “I didn’t find that we wanted to play our game early enough in this game. We wanted to bring pucks back, play slow, and try to go through them. We had some chances off the rush — I get all that — but you don’t build your game.”

Third-Period Improvement: “In the third period, we played more north, won more battles, showed more urgency, and it was a different period. It is about us getting together and putting 60 minutes together of that.”

Belief in Leadership: Berube has full confidence in his leadership group. “I 100% believe that. These guys want to win. Trust me on that. They want to win, and there is a sense of frustration for sure.”

Overcoming Adversity: “We have to look past that. We can’t complain about or get undisciplined because teams are checking us hard. That is what you have to get through: they checked hard tonight. Florida checked hard. Teams are going to check hard. Every game we play, they are going to check hard. You have to fight through the check.”

Puck Control: “We checked well tonight, too, and didn’t give up a ton — 24 shots. There are always things you can clean up, but we can do a lot more with the puck. We can make it a lot harder on other teams with the puck, and we are not right now. We didn’t shoot in the first two periods. It is all of those little things.”

Scott Laughton: Laughton left the game after receiving a stick in the eye but is expected to be fine after getting some stitches.

Auston Matthews: Matthews, like many players at this time of year, is battling through injuries. “This time of year, there are always guys playing hurt or banged up. He is no different. He will fight through it. He doesn’t want any sympathy. He will fight through it.”