Nick Robertson’s tough season took another blow this weekend as the Toronto Maple Leafs forward was a healthy scratch during Saturday’s 5–2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This came after he was benched in Friday’s loss to the Washington Capitals, where he played only two shifts in the third period.
“He just has to play better. That’s it,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said regarding Robertson’s struggles, according to Leafs Latest. “We all know that. I talked to him today about it. We’ll figure it out.”
Berube added, “It’s my job and the coaching staff’s job to help him. It’s his job to find a way to play better hockey. He’s capable of it. He has ability—speed, a good shot. We have to find a way to get him going.”
Robertson, who signed a one-year deal to return to Toronto after requesting a trade in the offseason, has struggled with consistency this season.
The 22-year-old winger snapped a 13-game scoring drought on Dec. 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he’s fallen back into a slump since then. He has not recorded a point in the three games following that performance and was a healthy scratch for the latest matchup.
Robertson admitted to his struggles last week, suggesting that changes to his preparation and potentially moving lines and positions might help.
“Maybe switch it up a little bit. I was open to anything,” Robertson said. “I thought it was necessary. Good to know I have this (experience) in my back pocket. I looked at my game to be the best effective I can during my struggle.”
The Maple Leafs, currently on a two-game losing streak, have dropped behind the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division standings, holding a 16-9-2 record after Saturday’s loss to Pittsburgh.