Article content
Bruce ‘There It Is’ Boudreau versus ‘Young Sheldon’ Keefe.
Advertisement
Article content
From different chapters of Leafs’ history, Saturday will be the coaches’ second meeting in three weeks on the Hockey Night In Canada stage, a game firing up two of the country’s most dedicated fan bases.
But the pressure is on Keefe’s Leafs, even though they’re at home and 14 points better in the standings.
Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to Buffalo in front of the long-awaited full house at Scotiabank, was disappointing on so many levels, undermining the three-game win streak that preceded it. Once more, Leafs’ goaltending is back in a harsh spotlight, Jack Campbell to start after Petr Mrazek seemingly botched his chance for the extended assignment.
Despite coming in sight of 100 regular season wins as fast as any Toronto coach, Keefe has to prove himself in another 28 games of his first full season and then playoffs.
Advertisement
Article content
The popular Boudreau, 26 years his senior, has 1,000 games under his belt and has worked motivational magic for the Canucks, who were sinking when he replaced Travis Green two months ago.
Boudreau played 134 games for the Leafs in the late 1970s and early ’80s. A Marlies junior rink rat before that, his more relaxed bench style was greatly influenced by the late George Armstrong. Vancouver was a return to head coaching most thought he’d eventually get somewhere, which is why the Leafs did not rush to hire him as a Keefe assistant when he offered his services for a dream opportunity in his hometown.
From the Canucks losing 10 of 13 games before he took over, they’ve won six of their past eight to get back in playoff contention, including 3-2 over the Leafs at Rogers Arena. Thatcher Demko’s 51 saves helped that result.
Advertisement
Article content
A day off following the debacle against Buffalo and the prospect of three in four nights saw Keefe run one of his longest practices of the year, around 90 minutes, counting skill sessions on three separate pads.
“These practice opportunities where we didn’t play the night before are few and far between now,” Keefe said. “There were things we wanted to get done today.”
Ondrej Kase’s return from an undisclosed injury gave Keefe some options at wing on Friday, but there’s no guarantee he comes back Saturday.
The biggest experiment looks to be young Nick Robertson promoted from fourth line to second, on left wing with John Tavares and William Nylander. Robertson wasn’t getting much chance to show his skill in limited ice time and maybe he’s the key to ending captain Tavares’s 14-game goal drought. Alexander Kerfoot will likely move down with Jason Spezza and Wayne Simmonds.
Advertisement
Article content
“We’re familiar with Nick, but just want to see where he’s at, coming off his (broken leg),” Keefe said.
“I think he’s done well with the ice time he’s got. Today, I wanted to get him some reps with that line. It’s a bit different in terms of how the puck moves around.”
The Leafs called up defenceman Mac Hollowell from the Marlies for Rasmus Sandin, who was ill Friday, the latest victim of a stomach bug that’s worked its way through the dressing room the past week. Pending Sandin’s return Saturday and having declared the Morgan Rielly — Sandin experiment a dud, Keefe’s Friday pairs were Rielly — Timothy Liljegren, Justin Holl-TJ Brodie and Travis Dermott-Ilya Lyubushkin.
This will be the second of six straight games Toronto has against teams not currently in the playoffs.
“We’re looking to establish the consistency we had through parts of November that we haven’t found of late,” Spezza said. “To lose the way we did against Buffalo is frustrating for all of us. It reminds us we can’t have a sloppy game, because teams make you pay.”
Bruce Boudreau and Sheldon Keefe match wits again - Toronto Sun
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment