Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe was noticeably upset with his squad not because of their narrow 3-2 shootout defeat against the Boston Bruins, but rather due to his players’ subdued reaction to an incident involving Brad Marchand that resulted in an injury to Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren.
During the opening stanza of the game, Marchand and Liljegren were in hot pursuit of the puck when they collided, causing their skates to intertwine and sending Liljegren crashing into the boards in a grimace-inducing manner. The aftermath of the collision was Liljegren exiting the game and later being diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, leading to his placement on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) as announced by Keefe on Saturday.
The video capturing the moment Liljegren was escorted off the ice quickly circulated on social media platforms like Sportsnet’s Twitter feed.
In the wake of the incident and the perceived tepid reaction from the Maple Leafs, Keefe expressed his dissatisfaction quite candidly.
“There was nothing I liked about our response,” Keefe stated emphatically. “We’ve had a conversation about it.”
He conceded that in the heat of the game, some players may be unaware of the gravity of what has occurred but emphasized the need for his team to come together and stand united in such events.
“Sometimes in the thick of the action, it’s not immediately clear to everyone what has unfolded, and that can cause a delay in the response,” Keefe explained. “But that’s not the identity we’re aiming for. We have had instances where we’ve reacted appropriately. The key is to do so consistently. We’ve addressed this internally.”
The recent acquisition of veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves was intended to inject some grit and muscle into the Leafs’ lineup. However, due to the home advantage, Reaves couldn’t be on the ice with Marchand at the critical moment. Keefe insists, however, that it’s not just Reaves’ job to send a message.
“Brad Marchand isn’t worried about Ryan Reaves or any other player for that matter; he’s made that quite clear,” Keefe noted. “The collective response of the team is what’s pivotal. There are plenty of other players in Bruins jerseys, and we have the opportunity to make the game more challenging for them. It’s about the collective elevation of our squad.”
It remains to be seen if the Maple Leafs will enter their next game with a heightened sense of solidarity and aggression when they face off against the Buffalo Sabres tonight. But all eyes are already turning towards their next encounter with the Bruins on December 2nd, where the stakes for a robust team response will be even higher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Sheldon Keefe Maple Leafs Reaction
Why was Sheldon Keefe upset after the Maple Leafs’ game against the Bruins?
Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was upset not because of the 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, but due to his team’s lack of response to a hit by Brad Marchand on Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren, which resulted in Liljegren suffering a high ankle sprain.
What happened to Timothy Liljegren during the game?
Timothy Liljegren was involved in a collision with Brad Marchand where their feet got tangled, causing Liljegren to go into the boards awkwardly. He had to leave the game and was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, leading to his placement on long-term injury reserve (LTIR).
What was Sheldon Keefe’s view on the team’s response to the incident?
Keefe was very clear in his disappointment with the team’s response, or lack thereof, emphasizing that he wants to see his players rally around and support each other in such situations. He acknowledged that some players might not have seen the incident but stressed the need for a consistent team response in similar scenarios.
What does Sheldon Keefe expect from his team in terms of physical play?
Keefe expects the Maple Leafs to stand up for each other and respond as a team to physical challenges on the ice. He believes that the presence of toughness should be a collective team effort rather than relying on a single player, referencing the recent acquisition of Ryan Reaves for physicality.
When will the Maple Leafs have their next opportunity to respond on the ice?
The Maple Leafs will have an immediate opportunity to showcase a stronger team response in their upcoming game against the Buffalo Sabres. However, many are looking forward to their next game against the Bruins on December 2nd to see if the team will display the unity and toughness that Keefe is calling for.
More about fokus keyword: Sheldon Keefe Maple Leafs Reaction
- Maple Leafs’ Official Statement on Liljegren’s Injury
- Sheldon Keefe’s Post-Game Comments
- Game Highlights: Maple Leafs vs. Bruins
- Ryan Reaves’ Role with the Maple Leafs
- NHL Player Safety Updates
- Analysis: Maple Leafs’ Team Dynamics
- Upcoming NHL Schedule
5 comments
I mean, sure keefe’s mad but what can you really do, it’s not like the old days where you’d just throw down gloves and settle it. gotta be smarter these days, can’t afford the penalties
pretty disappointing to see no one going after Marchand after the hit, where’s the grit we were promised? liljegren’s out and it’s like no one even cared on the bench.
So we got Reaves for what exactly? If he cant even be on the ice when needed seems like a waste, Leafs management gotta sort this out, can’t keep losing our guys like this.
Marchand doesn’t care and that’s why we love him in Boston, always gets under the skin of other teams and comes out on top, Leafs just don’t know how to handle it lol
gotta say, Keefe’s not pulling any punches with his comments, team really needs to step up their game. no one likes to see their players get hurt but that’s hockey, right? gotta have each other’s backs