Sheldon Keefe spoke to the media after the Maple Leafs’ 7-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild, improving the team’s record to 2-0-0.
There are several games with high scoring chances to start the season.
It’s early. I think that’s all I want to say. This kind of thing tends to happen early. There are still many areas in our game that we would like to continue improving. There’s no doubt about that.
Tomorrow is another day to strive for improvement.
On witnessing Auston Matthews’ six goals through two games:
it was fun. Obviously, you can’t expect back-to-back hat tricks, but I had a big night in Auston and I’m getting somewhat used to making a big impact. It would be great to do this for consecutive nights at the start of the season. he looks like he’s having a lot of fun.
On whether Matthews is motivated to return to Hart Trophy level in 2021-2022:
I will never question his motivation, work ethic and dedication. He is more passionate about his game than anyone else. I think he is feeling refreshed and healthy. He had a really good offseason.
I’ve been saying this since the first day of camp. Auston focuses on the big picture here. He’s really trying to push our team forward. He knows his job is to score, but I don’t think he cares how many goals he scores or how many points he ends up with. It’s about how many wins we win, how good our team is, what we’re building towards and how he gets us there.
That’s his focus. Everything else comes with it. I don’t know how many times tonight he picked up his puck on the backcheck and turned it over. For me, they are all connected. When Auston feels that way and is having a big impact on the game in all areas, the goals seem to come quickly.
The year he turned 60, I thought he was outstanding defensively. The year before that, he was outstanding defensively. He can make more jumps in all areas of the game on all sides of the puck.
It’s great to see such results. He plans to continue making his own games. We’re going to continue building the whole game. But it’s wonderful to see such individual efforts. I don’t want to use the word individual. Obviously there are other guys contributing, but Willie’s goal tonight and Auston’s goal tonight give us a little bit of leeway while we’re trying to find our game here. gave.
We are certainly still looking for it.
Regarding top line play:
Listen, Bart comes with that line. I thought the third period of the game against Montreal was Bart’s best period. Yesterday’s practice was the best I’ve seen the three of us work together. They were great in every way tonight.
We know and hope that Mitch and Orson will connect and become really good friends. They have new linemates. If you look, we have six new forwards in the lineup. It’s not just that line. On other teams, we try to keep everyone connected and the game connected from shift to shift, line to line.
It’s no coincidence that Bart’s game is also improving. He’s also getting more comfortable with those guys. It’s much more connected.
There is a clicking sound early on in the power play.
I’m excited and was expecting it. We have a lot of talent. It was a great power play before they added John Klingberg. It was a great power play before they added Guy Boucher. There’s a great foundation there, but any time you introduce a new mix you want to make sure it’s working and thriving.
I’ve been really encouraged by the work they’ve put in throughout camp and preseason and now heading into the first two games. We scored an important goal at an important time. We talked about the 6-on-5 that saved us in the first game. A big power play goal gave them a 4-3 lead in the game.
That’s a good sign.
On William Nylander’s hot start with 5 points in 2 games:
he is skating he is confident The first period goals are world class. The poise to make that move, the presence to bring it across the crease and the courage to do so is world class. I’m really glad I saw it.
Auston is off to a great start here, and so is Willie.
If Max Domi is lowered and Jarunkrok Avenue is raised to the Tavares-Nylander line:
I thought the Tavares-Nylander line could use more defensive help. I thought the line of Minten and Knies could use a little more offensive push, punch, and playmaking. I just decided to make that switch.
I thought it worked well. I think Journey and Max both had kind of the best years out of all the six-plus players who played here. It was good.
Journey scored a big goal for us. That was encouraging.
