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Keefe identifies the Leafs' biggest issue following embarrassing loss to Hawks

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Ryan Smitheram
October 17, 2023 (12:05)

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For the third game in a row to begin the season, the Leafs gave up the first goal of the game. Not only that, but for the third straight game, they fell behind by multiple goals, only this time, they were unable to claw their way back to secure the win, losing their first game of the season to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.

Following the game, Sheldon Keefe revealed what his team's biggest issue was last night. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Keefe once again spoke about how his star players are not taking care of the puck.

"It's all just [carelessness] with the puck, and it is all of our best players. Really, really careless to start the game. That didn't give us a chance to take hold of the game like you want to be able to do on home ice. We weren't able to take charge of the game, and then you let your opponent hang around. We have seen this movie before when you let them hang around."

The carelessness and sloppiness Keefe is referring to is something that has plagued the Leafs for years. In recent seasons, they've had a really difficult time beating teams they should easily beat - teams who are flat out inferior on paper. Keefe also admitted that the past couple of games have been the same, but that the offensive explosions from William Nylander and Auston Matthews have bailed the team out.

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"This is a much different story than what we have been through in the previous games. There were not enough goals, obviously, to make up for the mistakes, which is what has been happening."

While still early in the season, as Keefe alluded to, this is nothing he hasn't seen before and it is important to address and begin to correct the mistakes before the team heads out on a 5-game road-trip, beginning in Florida on Thursday.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Joseph Woll speaks after Leafs' first loss of the season

Rumblings of a potential Leafs/Blues trade in the works

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17 OCTOBRE \| 178 ANSWERS Keefe identifies the Leafs' biggest issue following embarrassing loss to Hawks How many games will the Leafs win on their upcoming 5-game road trip?
They'll win all 5	11	6.2 %
They'll win 3-4	114	64 %
They'll win 1-2	38	21.3 %
They're coming back 0-5	15	8.4 %
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