The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in overtime Friday night, but their head coach Sheldon Keefe made it very clear he wasn't happy with his team's effort.
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“Zero excitement,” Keefe told reporters after the game. “Concern is a stretch. Disappointed. We need to get on our toes and get our swagger and confidence.”
Although it is a crucial two points, the Leafs didn't make it easy on themselves. It looked like it was going to be a good team win, as they found themselves up 3-1 nearly halfway through the third period, but it didn't end up that way. The Ducks scored two within five minutes to even the score at 3-3. Jason Spezza then scored to give the Leafs the lead, and once again the Leafs blew it. Derek Grant scored to tie the game up at four and send it to overtime.
Part of the reason for Keefe's unpleasantness is that this isn't the first incident of this happening, as they blew the exact same 3-1 lead Monday night against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers scored four unanswered in the third period that game to secure a 5-3 victory.
With the win, the Leafs now have 65 points, which is good enough to see them slide back into third place in the Atlantic Division. If they want to keep that current playoff position however, they are going to need to straighten their play out fast.
