Keefe comments on first trip back to Tampa after lost playoff series
After heartbreaking Game 6 and Game 7 losses to Tampa in the first round of the playoffs last season, Sheldon Keefe said that while the team played very well there were lots of things they could look at and learn from the Lightning. The Leafs played the Lightning the hardest they had been played prior to meeting Colorado in the Cup Final last year, but a couple of questionable calls, bad plays and unfortunate bounces cost them Games 6 and 7 and the series.
The Leafs are in Tampa for the first time since Game 6 tonight and are looking to extend their win streak to 6-straight tonight. Ironic is it not? Many say that the ghosts of previous first round exits constantly haunt the Leafs, but Keefe doesn't think so. He was asked about the feeling of being back in Tampa after the way the playoffs ended, to which he said, "It's a new season. It's a new team. It's another regular season game. I don't think that sort of stuff goes from one season to the next. It's a very good team that we're playing ... [last year's] playoffs haven't been on my mind."
Keefe clearly doesn't believe in the ghosts of seasons past and from what Leaf players said at the end of last season, they don't either. While tonight is just "another regular season game," the Leafs have been playing their best hockey of late while missing 3 of their top 6 defensemen. Mitch Marner will look to set a new franchise record point streak tonight if he can make it 19-straight games with at least a point and Matt Murray will look to continue his excellent play since returning from injury.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 132 ANSWERS Keefe comments on first trip back to Tampa after lost playoff series Will the Leafs beat Tampa tonight? | ||
| Yes | 68 | 51.5 % |
| No | 64 | 48.5 % |
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