The Maple Leafs' 3-0 win on Saturday over the visiting New York Islanders was not just the 10th consecutive game in which the Leafs earned a point. It also marked the 20th game under new head coach Sheldon Keefe
When you're looking to evaluate the body of work by a new coach, 20 games is likely where you'll start to pay attention to what sort of impact the coach is having on the team. In this case, Keefe has come in and has seemingly righted the ship overnight.
Mere weeks ago, many pundits were skeptical of the Leafs' ability to turn the season around after an abysmal start under former bench boss Mike Babcock, and rightfully so. The Leafs started the season 9-10-4 and were on pace to miss the playoffs by a mile. When Babs was let go, most were writing off the Buds entirely for 2019-20, expecting more of a 'transition year'.
Well, here we are at the 20-game checkpoint and Sheldon Keefe has just made history with the win. Keefe has become the only Maple Leafs coach in the organization's 102-year existence to reach 15 wins in his first 20 games. More importantly than this, though, is that the coach has the room back.
It's no secret and no surprise to learn that Babcock had lost the room, especially after the story of "the list" had surfaced. His modus operandi seemed to be 'demand everything, appreciate nothing', and players grew tired of his methods after 4+ seasons and were in desperate need of a change.
Sheldon Keefe is a player's coach. He is demanding of his players, but he also understands that his players are human beings and need to be motivated the right way. He appreciates and acknowledges their work ethic and victories, small or large. But more importantly, he deals with the shortcomings in a more constructive and positive way.
He got the room back by trusting in his players and deploying them appropriately, using them to their strengths. He awards solid work ethic with more ice time. He corrects reckless or lazy play by reducing ice time and actually coaching his players rather than crucifying them.
Keefe has been able to get the most out of his players because he gives the most of himself to his players, as is evidenced by William Nylander's recent play, with the young Swede being on pace for a career year. He also has backup netminder Michael Hutchinson back on track with 3-straight wins and coming off of a 33-save shutout over the Isles. He has Matthews, Marner and Tavares all on pace for point-per-game or better seasons. He has a large contingent of former Marlies playing like veteran NHLers, chipping in from all over the lineup. He has given Maple Leafs fans something to be excited about.
Keefe has the Maple Leafs back on a 101-point pace for the season and looks like he is firmly in the driver's seat, as the Buds look to keep things rolling in the 2nd half. With an 11-1-1 record in the last 13, the Leafs have truly become one of the league's most dominant teams, much to the delight of the organization and its passionate fanbase.
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