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TSN SportsCentre reporter Mark Masters reports on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who practiced at the Ford Performance Center on Wednesday ahead of their game against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
After Monday’s 4-2 loss, Sheldon Keefe didn’t shy away from explaining how his talented group failed against the rebuilding Arizona Coyotes.
“The difference between us and Arizona is that we have elite players,” the coach said bluntly. “Our elite players didn’t play like elite players. They couldn’t make a difference.”
After a day off Tuesday, Keefe reunited with his best players on Wednesday.
‘He explained what he meant and how it happened and I’ll leave it at that’, winger Mitch Marmer said. “We closed the doors here for a reason and we have discussions without you for a reason. We had this conversation today. We understand. We are grown men.”
“I used some of the wrong words to try to describe what I was trying to describe,” Keefe said, “which is to say the difference in the game was just that we weren’t able to produce, whether it’s on the power play or 5-on-5. And that’s really the difference, with all the time spent with the puck. But I didn’t want to say anything beyond that in any way.
Auston Matthews burst out laughing when asked about the coach’s initial criticism.
“It’s my seventh year here now and I kind of understand how it works,” the 25-year-old center said. “I think the conversations that are happening behind closed doors without media and the like are more generally discussions rather than just harassing guys.”
Marner added, “I don’t think anyone was hurt by the comments or anything like that.”
Keefe was asked if players are so touchy these days that he now has to choose his words carefully.
“I don’t think we’re at that stage,” he said. “I think we should always be mindful of the words we use and how we communicate. Sometimes emotions can get the better of us in this game or in any competitive environment. You want to communicate well. It’s a important element. as a leader.”
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Matthews produced a goal, which was his only even-strength point so far this season.
“We’re down to four games,” said the defending Hart Trophy winner. “Obviously nothing is going to be perfect…I always try to find it a bit offensively. I just work on some things and get into a rhythm. Sometimes things take a bit of time.”
Matthews, Marner and Michael Bunting were among the most dominant lines in hockey last season. So what is missing right now?
“They weren’t able to reach the net with the same consistency,” Keefe observed. “Auston haven’t had as many clear looks in the net. The message to them is similar to the rest of the team. Don’t get frustrated. Look to challenge and attack inside. Don’t feel comfortable with possession and time in the attacking zone. Challenge the net and look to make it difficult for the opposition.”
Marner thinks he and Bunting can do a better job of creating space for Matthews.
“When you have a goalscorer like Auston, a lot of people really want to take him on,” Marner noted. “When that happens, we have to take our ice cream. We have to get him to the net and challenge the opponents one on one a little more. We did better in the last match. We need to get a little deeper inside. I think it will come.”
“These guys are fine,” Keefe pointed out. “Whether it’s 5v5 or on the power play, the rhythm will start to come. As things fall into place from there, all of a sudden the games aren’t as close. You’re starting to play with leads more consistently. Other teams are starting to take risks. Things are starting to fall into place. It’s early here. We’ve got to make sure we keep this all in the right perspective. “
Matthews scored just once in his first six games last season. He finished with 60 goals and another Rocket Richard Trophy.
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The Leafs are averaging 2.75 goals per game, which is tied for 23rd overall going into Wednesday’s games. Toronto averaged 3.8 goals per game last season, which was second overall.
“It’s fair to say offensively we haven’t found our groove yet,” Keefe said. “Sometimes it looked really good. Other times not so much. It’s probably the only thing I look at.”
The team also started slowly last season (2-4-1) before turning the attack on.
“Whether it’s our individual players or our team, we had a record-breaking regular season last year,” Keefe said. “It took a while to get to this. You’ve got that, but let’s not settle for that. Let’s be better than that.”
The power play is converting 21.4 percent of the time so far, which is tied for 15th overall going into Wednesday’s games. Toronto scored on 27.3% of its chances last season, which led the league.
The Leafs generated nothing on their first four chances against the Coyotes on Monday before finally cashing in on the fifth chance. During Wednesday’s practice, the coaching staff provided the top unit with what Keefe called “a change of pace.”
Matthews, Marmer, John Tavares, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly started a drill with a five-to-one advantage. Coach’s Assistant Spencer Carbery had his stopwatch and sent a second penalty killer after some time. Then a third penalty killer came in and finally a fourth.
“The reason you’re doing that is you’re really trying to create opportunities for puck speed in terms of shooting and passing,” Keefe said. “With less disruption you can just get the rhythm and the feel of the puck slamming. So it’s a drill that we do from time to time for those reasons and eventually it settles into a natural five-on-four These guys have been training a lot of five-on-fours so we gave them a different look today.”
The second unit did traditional five-on-four reps.
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Jake Muzzin was placed on the injured list after leaving Monday’s game with a neck injury.
“He does what he can do,” said Marner, who calls Muzzin probably his closest friend on the team. “If he comes back and plays this year or when or whatever happens, just make sure he can do what he wants to do the rest of his life and enjoy time with his family. “is the most important thing. Obviously, on the ice, for us, it’s a big missing piece. He does a lot for us on and off the ice. Just the calmness on the ice when he has the puck. Just the leadership he brings. All that kind of stuff. He’s definitely a big chunk that we’ll miss, but life off the ice is always more important.
Muzzin missed time with two concussions last season, among other ailments.
“I was told it wasn’t a head injury at all,” Keefe said.
The team is still awaiting a timeline on this latest injury.
“Jake has had a number of injuries that concern us,” Keefe admitted. “Any time a player gets injured and has had as many injuries as Jake has had to deal with, there is of course a concern. What concern? I don’t know. It’s probably still too early to tell at this stage. We had an event he attended last night and he was similar in many ways He is here in the facility today We will let the process take care of itself with the doctors and go from there .
Muzzin missed most of preseason with back pain.
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With Muzzin out, Victor Mete will make his Leafs debut on Thursday night.
“I’m excited to play in my hometown with the Leafs jersey,” said the 24-year-old from Woodbridge, Ont. “It’s going to be a pretty cool time for me.”
“I expect him to skate and use his legs,” Keefe said. “I’m looking to see him get involved and increase the pace of play from the back.”
“He’s got great wheels on him,” observed Marner, who played with Mete in the Ontario Hockey League. “He can go up and down the ice really well. He works pretty well with our system with how we like to activate our active D, like popping them and joining in the rush to do odd numbers.”
Mete will start next Marc Giordano.
“I was able to play with him a bit during pre-season, so I know his game a bit,” Mete noted. “It’s good to play with a veteran who knows the game well.”
Rasmus Sandin will take Muzzin’s place alongside justin holl. The best pair remains Morgan Rielly with TJ Brodie.
“It’s a chance to bring Rasmus back to his natural state. [left] side,” Keefe said. “Mete and Giordano spent time through camp together. It’s just a look we wanted to see. For now, we wanted to keep Rielly and Brodie together to have a consistent pair rather than going with three different pairs. I expect the guys to move when the game starts, but it’s a good starting point for us.”
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Sandin replaced Giordano as quarterback on the second power play unit. With Muzzin out, the team don’t want to put too much on the 39-year-old’s plate.
“Gio’s minutes will naturally go up in every way despite the fact that we still have him on that…third pair,” Keefe said. “We’re going to take him forward and face him against tougher competition and take on more penalty kill load. At the same time, it gives us more opportunities to get the most out of Rasmus.”
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Nick Robertson will make its season debut on Thursday. The left winger skated on the second line with Tavares and Nylander and also took reps with the second unit on the power play.
“I expect him to play as he was,” said Keefe, who dismissed the 21-year-old at the end of training. “That was my message to him. He went through some things here in the last 10 days or so but he was playing really well. He came down and played a few games for the Marlies. He did a good job there “He should be confident. Come in and take advantage of your opportunity. I think he’s thrilled to play, no doubt.
Denis Malgin will be a healthy scratch.
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Wednesday training lines:
Bunting – Matthews – Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall – Kerfoot – Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese – Kampf – Dawn-Kubel
Simmonds, Malgin
Rielly – Brodie
Sandin – Holl
Giordano – Mete
Benn-Kral
Liljegren
Samsonov
Kallgren
Power play units in Wednesday’s practice:
QB: Rielly
Flanks: Matthews, Marner
Midfielder: Nylander
Net front: Tavares
QB: Sandin
Flanks: Kerfoot, Robertson
Middle: Bunting
Forward Net: Jarnkrok
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