Keefe makes a surprising admission after loss to the Bruins
For the first two periods of the game against Boston last night, the Leafs were in the game and were driving play for the most part. Even in the third, they were controlling play, but were unable to capitalize on their chances and allowed the Bruins to capitalize on the few they had. Ultimately, the defensive breakdowns are what cost the Leafs the game.
Post game, Sheldon Keefe was asked about the gap between the Bruins and Leafs and rest of the league to which he responded by saying:
"Over the course of the season, it is significant. They just stay with it. They are 40 goals better than every team in the NHL. It is a significant gap between them and the rest of the league when you look at the season in its entirety to this point.
When you are in the game, you are right there. That is what is tough. Certainly, in Boston and again tonight, we are right there. The difference between being right there and winning the game and being on the right side of it is significant. It is a significant challenge and hurdle. That team is dialed in, focused, competing, and working. They make it hard."
Keefe is right when he says the Leafs are right there when playing head-to-head with the Bruins, but ultimately their defensive lapses is what has cost them in both losses against Boston thus far in the season. Of course, having Auston Matthews in the lineup makes a world of difference against Boston in terms of offense, defense and line matching, but it is something that should not lead to the defensive miscues they had last night.
The Leafs are now 1-2 against the Bruins in their season series, with their lone win coming way back on November 5th.
POLL |
FEVRIER 2 | 342 ANSWERS Keefe makes a surprising admission after loss to the Bruins Do you believe the Bruins are a better team than the Leafs? |
Yes | 262 | 76.6 % |
No | 80 | 23.4 % |
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