Matthews scored his first goal in the next loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but Toronto won the next game and quickly turned things around. So why hasn’t the manager made a similar move this year?
“Ultimately, I just feel like last season these guys developed an even bigger chemistry than they’ve ever had and I’m not at the point yet where I feel like the answer to start is to separate the guys who had some of the best chemistry. in the league last season and led us to great heights in the regular season,” explained Keefe. “These guys are committed to working it together and I’m still at the point of giving them a chance.”
Matthews remains stuck at one goal in 5-on-5 play. Marner has just two and sat out after a pair of costly turnovers Sunday in Anaheim.
“On the road trip, even though the puck didn’t necessarily go into the back of the net, there were some really positive signs about it [line] and I want to keep watching this game,” Keefe said. “But obviously, nothing is off the table at this point in terms of what the options might be for us if we don’t start to see progress.”
Last year, Matthews had wrist surgery and scored just one goal in the first six games he played. This year, he was bitten again to start the year.
“It was a bit of a slower start than I would have liked,” admits the Hart Trophy winner. “But I think the last two games, I’ve been able to get into a rhythm offensively, pick it up a little bit. I think there’s another level for me and everybody in this room.”
Toronto is 29th overall in 5-on-5 scoring.
Should Keefe split Matthews and Marner?
Last season, when the Maple Leafs got off to a slow start, Sheldon Keefe separated Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Do it again? TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joins Mark Masters to share his thoughts.
The Leafs have won three of four games at home this season.
“I’m glad to be back here,” Keefe said. “We’ve played really good hockey when we’ve been here, so that’s comforting. We know our fans will be here to support us if we give them a reason to support us. Sure, we’ve got to go out and play. It’s just a matter of Go out and play a better game of hockey. We’re definitely motivated to do it. It’s just a matter of clearing our heads mentally and just going out and playing.”
The players are not worried about the concern in the fan base.
“Look, I was walking my dogs yesterday and I ran into two fans and they were all positive,” winger William Nylander said.
“I love it,” said Mark Giordano of Toronto. “People are passionate about our team here. People are excited that we’re doing well. I’d rather play in a city that cares and is really involved in the day-to-day operations of the team and follows us. It’s a passionate fan base. Of course, you listen stuff, you see stuff and you see stuff, but there’s nothing like playing in a Canadian market. It’s great.”
Keefe: “The fans will be here to support us if we give them a reason to support us”
Sheldon Keefe and Mark Giordano talk about their excitement to be back in Toronto after a long road trip on the west coast, the boost the fans will give them and the importance of starting the game strong tonight with the Flyers they are back to back.
After a loss at San Jose on Thursday, Keefe said he didn’t feel like changing his defensive pairings would make a difference. On Sunday in Anaheim, the coach felt he had no choice.
“We’re trying to find the right mix,” Keefe said. “Obviously, [Morgan] Rielly and [T.J.] We like Brody a lot, but we just found the way some of the other pairings are going that we needed to solidify defensively.”
So Brodie now plays with Justin Holl, who was a plus player in just one game this season. Rielly, who moved to right to partner Rasmus Sandin on Sunday, will start Wednesday’s game with Victor Mete, who has been healthy the last two games. Filip Kral, who played just 8:07 in Anaheim, will be the odd man out. Sandin will reunite with Giordano.
Hall is the only right-shot defenseman available right now. Brodie is a left-hander who is most comfortable on his off side, so this is far from an ideal formation.
“Not having him on the right side creates some challenges for us,” Keefe said, “but we just feel like he could help Justin Holl and that was a good pairing for us not only last night in Anaheim, but last season. So we had to go with that and then we try to find the right mix after that.”
Reliable pairings have been hard to come by since Jake Muzzin, who played with Holl, suffered a neck injury on Oct. 17. Muzzin joined the team at the end of the California trip because he was seeing a specialist in Los Angeles. There is no word yet on how long the burly blueliner will be out.
“Significant absence,” Keefe said. “On the ice, for sure. You see our penalty kill just wasn’t the same. When you lose a guy like that that you rely on so much, everybody else has to play more and in different situations than they’re used to. And that’s part of of what we pass a little in the back”.
Toronto’s penalty kill has plummeted to 22nd in the league at 75.7%.
The Leafs also miss Muzzin’s presence in the dressing room. Keefe once described the 2014 Stanley Cup champion as the “conscience” of the team.
“It’s something we’ve been talking about internally,” Keefe said, “because there’s an absence there that others are trying to find their way to replace.”
Timothy Liljegren, who underwent hernia surgery on the eve of training camp, has been cleared to leave the long-term injured for Saturday’s game against Boston. He is expected to play with the Bruins, which will give the coaching staff another right-shot option.
Leafs Ice Chips: Mete pairs with Rielly. Liljegren returns on Saturday
TSN’s Mark Masters highlights the changes the Maple Leafs are making on defense as they look to bounce back from a disastrous west coast road trip. Plus the health of Jake Muzzin and Timothy Liljegren and the value they will add when they return to the lineup.
Pontus Holmberg will make his National Hockey League debut against the Flyers. He politely declined an interview request Wednesday morning. The 23-year-old Swede is still learning English.
“He seems to be getting better,” Keefe noted. “A lot of times when you’re understanding these guys, especially those coming from the minors, they’ll tell you they understand everything, but you want to make sure that’s clear.”
That’s why Holmberg will start between Pierre Engvall and Calle Jarnkrok on an all-Swedish line.
“I want to make him as comfortable as possible,” Keefe said, “but also think he complements those guys well.”
Holmberg has just two assists in seven games with the Marlies, but the Leafs believe he can make an impact.
“He’s smart with the puck,” defenseman Rasmus Sandin said. “He’s making really smart decisions. He’s doing everything, I think. He’s creating scoring opportunities not only for himself but for others. He’s still upset that he hasn’t scored with the Marlies, but hopefully he’ll come today. He looks very calm today ».
What sets Nylander apart?
“His intelligence and how he moves around the ice getting himself open and making little, little plays to open up ice for other guys. He’s a very smart player.”
Leafs Ice Chips: Holberg is ready for his NHL debut
After Calle Järnkrok, Alex Kerfoot and William Nylander rotated as the Leafs’ third-line center on the team’s unsuccessful west coast road trip, Sheldon Keefe turned to a new option. Pontus Holmberg has been recalled by the Marlies and will make his NHL debut against the Flyers on Wednesday. Mark Masters has more.
Predicted lines for Wednesday’s game:
Bunting – Matthews – Marner
Kerfoot – Tavares – Nylander
Engvall – Holmberg – Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese – Kampf – Malgin
Rielly – Mete
Brody – Hall
Giordano – Sandin
Samsonov begins
Kalgren
