{"id":99641,"date":"2021-02-02T10:57:40","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T15:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=99641"},"modified":"2021-02-02T10:35:17","modified_gmt":"2021-02-02T15:35:17","slug":"what-we-have-learned-sheldon-keefe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/02\/02\/what-we-have-learned-sheldon-keefe\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Have Learned About Sheldon Keefe And The Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell to an overtime defeat on Saturday evening. Toronto, outplayed on the road by the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>, are now 7-2-1 through 10 games. With a couple of days off, Sheldon Keefe<\/a><\/strong> and his Leafs can rest.<\/p>\n

The Leafs played 10 games in 18 days to open the year. Keefe\u2019s roster started the season with four games in six nights, before alternating day-on-day-off for the next 12. Toronto\u2019s packed January schedule featured four games against Connor McDavid<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s Oilers and a western road trip. All during a pandemic.<\/p>\n

Of course, organisations across the NHL share Toronto\u2019s woes. The 2021 season will be like none other, a fact compounded by the Seattle Kraken\u2019s<\/a> imminent arrival in the Western Conference. That said, the Maple Leafs are now 17.8 percent of the way through their 56-game regular-season schedule.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to draw some conclusions about where Toronto is headed.<\/p>\n

Sheldon Keefe and the Maple Leafs: What’s New?<\/h2>\n

At the time of writing, Toronto lead the North Division and sit tied for first in the NHL standings. Toronto\u2019s start to the season has progressed as expected. The Maple Leafs are arguably the best team in Canada; this year represents the best opportunity for them to prove it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Through 10 games, Toronto has scored 33 goals and conceded 29; their goal differential ranks among the NHL\u2019s best. Even so, Keefe\u2019s team has under-performed at both ends of the ice at 5-on-5. Toronto\u2019s actual goal difference (axDiff) is -5 (per Hockey Reference)<\/a>, indicating that the Leafs should become more efficient as the season progresses.<\/p>\n

Toronto face the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> on Thursday evening, here are some issues to look out for.<\/p>\n

Alexander Barabanov Is Under Serious Pressure<\/h3>\n

Alexander Barabanov<\/a><\/strong> sacrificed a lot to get his shot in the NHL. The Russian winger missed an entire KHL season and was thrust into action without going through a full training camp. Adapting to life in the NHL was always going to be difficult for the 26-year-old; however, Barabanov is in real trouble after six games in white and blue.<\/p>\n

The Russian has averaged 6:03 minutes of ice time through his opening six NHL appearances. In that time, limited as it has been, Barabanov has failed to impress. The 26-year-old\u2019s two shots, neither of which looked like finding twine, has not been enough to stave-off his critics.<\/p>\n

Before Barabanov arrived, Sheldon Keefe said: \u201cWe\u2019re really excited to add another player to the fold here that we think has got a great experience and great skill set.”<\/p>\n

\u201cVery high character as well, just checks a lot of the boxes that you\u2019re always looking for when you\u2019re adding a player that you fully expect to step in and be an important part of your team.\u201d<\/p>\n

To date, Barabanov has failed the NHL eye test. His stats are equally unimpressive<\/a>. Unless the St Petersburg-native improves rapidly, he will be heading back to Russia. Barabanov still has a lot to prove.<\/p>\n

Frederik Andersen Is Not Under Serious Pressure<\/h3>\n

With Jack Campbell<\/a><\/strong> sidelined following Toronto\u2019s Matthew Tkachuk<\/a><\/strong>-inspired victory over Calgary, Frederik Andersen<\/a><\/strong> is under no pressure in the crease. And it shows.<\/p>\n

Following a rocky start to the season, the Leafs\u2019 netminding-Dane has been perfectly fine.<\/p>\n

Andersen has registered a career-best high-danger save percentage of .833 (per Hockey Reference<\/a>) and looks confident between the pipes.<\/p>\n

His .892 save percentage isn\u2019t particularly impressive but Andersen has rebounded from last year\u2019s playoffs. In plain terms, the former Anaheim Duck has delivered the bare minimum: Andersen isn\u2019t giving up freebies this year.<\/p>\n

With Jack Campbell out of the picture for a while, Andersen has time to improve further. For once, having Michael Hutchinson<\/a><\/strong> on the bench might help Toronto\u2019s Dane. The situation isn\u2019t perfect<\/a>, but Sheldon Keefe will be content with the Leafs’ goaltending so far.<\/p>\n

Toronto\u2019s Powerplay Is Hot Under Sheldon Keefe<\/h3>\n

The Leafs\u2019 43.3 percent powerplay scoring rate is impressive. (The league average is 21.59 percent)<\/p>\n

Toronto is fine with a man disadvantage too; the Leafs are 76.92 percent on the penalty kill. (The league average in 78.41 percent)<\/p>\n

Of Toronto\u2019s 33 goals this season, 16 have come on the powerplay; plus, there are reasons to believe the Leafs can uphold their special unit record. If Mikko Lehtonen<\/a><\/strong> establishes himself in the top-six, his creativity on the puck will become a huge asset<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The returning Joe Thornton<\/a><\/strong> and Nick Robertson<\/a><\/strong> will give Keefe viable options, too.<\/p>\n

Plenty can be said about how division realignment has helped the Leafs \u2013 those comments are valid. However, this season is simply about finishing in Canada\u2019s top-four, winning a playoff series, and seeing what the future holds. Ultimately, a 7-2-1 start is very promising indeed. Sheldon Keefe will take it.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>