MoneyPuck predicts a near-certain playoff berth for the Toronto Maple Leafs for the eighth year in a row. Despite this success, the team has yet to advance past the second round under head coach Sheldon Keefe. Following a disappointing loss to the New Jersey Devils, Keefe criticized the team’s immaturity, especially highlighting the behavior of veteran players like John Tavares.Keefe’s candid comments may serve as a wake-up call for the team as they aim to overcome playoff hurdles.
Keefe continued to address issues in the game, mentioning specific offensive wingers without naming them but pointing out their mistakes. He expressed concern about Jack Hughes getting two breakaways and emphasized the need for improvement to win games. Keefe criticized the overall performance of the team, expressing hope that the players were equally dissatisfied. He singled out leaders like Auston Matthews and William Nylander, stating they need to set a better example. Keefe noted several mistakes made and called out Bobby McMann for a specific error. He described the team’s play as sloppy and careless, expressing disappointment in the result and highlighting that such performance had not been seen in a while. Keefe attributed some of the issues to the players’ excitement, leading them to be carried away.
