Sheldon Keefe gets grilled by the media in the post game scrum for starting Justin Holl
When the worst person you know just made a great point, it's the most conflicting feeling. Sheldon Keefe elected to start his third line of Kampf, Mikheyev and Engvall for Game 4. A smart move, given that Tampa had last change. What wasn't smart however, was having Justin Holl on the ice for the opening face off. After 2 failed clearing attempts, Holl managed to screen Jack Campbell on what should have been a very stoppable point shot from Steven Stamkos. The puck went in, Tampa got a huge boost of momentum, and the Leafs never recovered.
After the game, much maligned Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons didn't mince words with the Leafs head coach.
Sheldon, why would you start your worst defenseman in a building you know was going to be this loud? -Steve Simmons
Who was our worst defenseman? - Sheldon Keefe
Justin Holl - Steve Simmons
That's your opinion, I guess. - Sheldon Keefe
Who was our worst defenseman? - Sheldon Keefe
Justin Holl - Steve Simmons
That's your opinion, I guess. - Sheldon Keefe
When your head coach gets dunked on by arguably the worst of all Leafs reporters, you know things haven't gone well. As much as I hate to say it, Simmons has a point. Holl had an atrocious first shift that set the tone for the rest of the game, and now the Leafs have to win a best of 3 series against the reigning champs.
I have very few issues with Sheldon Keefe as a coach for the Maple Leafs, he's worked extremely hard to instill "Stanley Cup habits" since taking over for Mike Babcock. By far my biggest gripe with Keefe is his love of Justin Holl. Holl seems like a great guy, and one I'd enjoy sitting down for a beer with, but there's no way he should be on the roster for Game 5. Especially when a player as good as Timothy Liljegren is sitting in the press box. If Keefe can take off the kid gloves he's been handling Justin Holl with, the Leafs have a very good chance of taking down the Tampa Bay Lightning this year.
You can watch the exchange here:
| POLL | ||
MAI 9 | 392 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe gets grilled by the media in the post game scrum for starting Justin Holl If Keefe plays Justin Holl again, should his job be on the line? | ||
| No, he's had a record breaking season | 120 | 30.6 % |
| Yes, Holl is brutal | 185 | 47.2 % |
| It should be anyway | 87 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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