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Analysts shred Sheldon Keefe for recent lineup change

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Ryan Smitheram
November 2, 2023 (2:22 PM)

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On Tuesday night, the Maple Leafs returned to ScotiaBank Arena following a five-game road trip that saw them go 3-1-1, collecting a possible seven of ten points. Unfortunately, their first game back at SBA was against the league's top offense in the LA Kings. The Kings dominated the Leafs from start to finish in their 4-1 win, but that didn't stop Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe from attempting to mount a third period comeback by loading up his top line. To start the third period, Keefe moved William Nylander up to play with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, which was something that Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne strongly disagreed with. They voiced their thoughts on yesterday's "Real Kyper and Bourne" show.

"The thing that probably bothered me most last night was the feeling and philosophy that they're still trying to outscore their mistakes. I got pissed off the most at watching him load up Nylander, Marner and Matthews. I think it's a horrible message to 17 other guys that says, 'we're just going to put these guys together and its going to fix us. We're going to come back and win and everyone's going to say way to not give up.' To me, the least of his worries to start the third period was trying to find three goals to tie the game up," said Kypreos.

He continued by blasting Keefe for not benching one of the three and playing the players that were still competing and battling and finishing their checks.

"Your number one priority to start the period was to put three guys on the ice who could compete. Who could fight for a puck and win a battle. You start there and if it means sitting asses down, you do it. Loading up was the least of your issues or worries."

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Bourne was quick to agree with Kypreos and pointed out that Keefe should know that he needs to reward players that play hard every shift and not because of their talent.

"I would think he's been around this Leafs team long enough and the post-season long enough in the NHL to recognize its not about earning every regular season point you can but conditioning your team for the playoffs that the people who work get rewarded and we reward based on merit and not potential and last night, giving more time to the guys that were dogs by and large did not seem like the right answer when he should've sat one of them down."

I don't normally agree with Kypreos or Bourne for that matter, but I do in this case. Under Kyle Dubas, Keefe always tiptoed around his stars and even walked back comments when criticizing their play, and it seems that he is still in the old habit of not hurting their feelings. Hopefully this is something that changes over the season and that messages are sent because if the stars are able to do whatever they want without punishment, chances are they aren't going to try as hard or care as much as the 17 other guys on the team.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

John Klingberg's atrocious effect on the Leafs on full display early in the season

Phil Kessel addresses the lack of traction in finding a new NHL home this season

Leafs reveal starter for tonight's game against Boston

POLL
2 NOVEMBRE \| 435 ANSWERS Analysts shred Sheldon Keefe for recent lineup change Should Sheldon Keefe be more assertive and bench his stars when they aren't performing?
Yes	386	88.7 %
No	49	11.3 %
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