(Toronto) Sheldon Keefe calmly reviewed strategy and tactics.
The Toronto Maple Leafs head coach also put on his amateur psychologist hat following a disastrous start to the playoffs.
The Leafs didn’t just fall flat against the Tampa Bay Lightning: In an embarrassing 7-3 loss at home, the team was a shadow of what it showed in a regular season of 111 points.
Instead of the group engaged and talented on offense and responsible on defense, the Leafs have been shy, uncertain and messy at Scotiabank Arena.
“There’s nothing to celebrate about the effort or the results,” Keefe lamented. But you have to pull yourself together and get back to work. »
In addition, Michael Bunting was suspended for three games in connection with an illegal check to the head of Eric Cernak, in the second period.
It was just one game, argued Keefe and his troupe. The fact remains that the opponent has reached the Stanley Cup final three years in a row, including triumphs in 2020 and 2021.
The margin for error is slim for the Toronto club, which has not advanced to the second round since 2004.
“It’s important to be united,” Keefe said after a brief practice on Wednesday. There are always adjustments to be made, but when your mindset changes, a lot of things fall into place. We weren’t ourselves at all (Tuesday). »
“I don’t know why, we were always a bit behind,” defender Mark Giordano said. You have to play with confidence, play with confidence as we have done throughout the season. »
Booed by fans during intermission and after the game, the Leafs trailed 3-0 after the first period after two turnovers and a shorthanded goal allowed.
Toronto scored twice on the power play in the middle period, but the lack of discipline and some curious decisions from the referees opened the door for the Lightning.
The visitors added four goals, including two on the superiority, heading for an easy victory.
“Too many penalties,” said Mitch Marner, who provided three assists. Too often being inferior is a bad thing. We need to protect our net better. »
The Lightning have shown they still have plenty of fuel left, despite four losses in their last five regular season games.
“I don’t think anything surprised us,” Giordano said. We know what kind of team they are. We had very bad moments in the match, individually and collectively. »