Morgan Rielly Inadvertently Takes Shot At Former Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe
Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has identified one significant difference between Sheldon Keefe and Craig Berube heading into the playoffs.
The win pushed the Leafs to a 10-4-2 record in the second half of back-to-backs on the season, and moved the Leafs to within 1 point of clinching the Atlantic Division with two games remaining.
Following their convincing win over Carolina, Morgan Rielly was asked about the team's ability to close out tightly contested, low-event games at the tail end of the season. Rielly's response showed a confidence we haven't seen from the Leafs in recent years heading into the playoffs - something sophomore Matthew Knies challenged his teammates to find last week.
"It's big. You know, it's not something that we've done a lot in the past, but if you look at games recently, it's all been close. And I mean, that's what we're expecting here moving forward.
So it's a good opportunity for our best to come to out. It can be nerve-wracking when you're in these close games. The more you do it and the more you are able to execute and rely on your structure and end up on top, it's a good feeling."
So it's a good opportunity for our best to come to out. It can be nerve-wracking when you're in these close games. The more you do it and the more you are able to execute and rely on your structure and end up on top, it's a good feeling."
Rielly's response was not directed at any former coach in particular, but given how the Leafs hobbled into the playoffs in four of five seasons under Sheldon Keefe, it could be read as an inadvertent shot at the now New Jersey Devils head coach.
Last season, the Leafs lost their last 4 games heading into the post-season. Two years before, the Leafs lost four of their last five. The one time the Leafs had playoff success in the past 20 seasons was the 2022-23 season, where they won four in a row to enter the playoffs.
Clearly, having the confidence that Knies suggested is needed for this team entering the playoffs, and with just two games left in the regular season, currently riding a 3-game winning streak, Rielly and the Leafs will look to fine-tune the small details as they prepare for the first round -- hopefully on a winning note.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 14 | 3226 ANSWERS Morgan Rielly Inadvertently Takes Shot At Former Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe Do you think ending the regular season with a win leads to playoff success for the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 2338 | 72.5 % |
| No | 888 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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