While many players have expressed a desire to see Matthews reach 70, preparation for the playoffs is Keefe's focal point.
While many players have expressed a desire to see Matthews reach 70, preparation for the playoffs is Keefe's focal point.
With eight games to go and 62 goals this season, Auston Matthews has a chance to become the first player in over 30 years to score 70 in a season. But Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is keeping his focus on making sure that his top player is ready for the post-season."
"I'm not concerned about 70 goals at all. I'm concerned about having him on our team and ready to go for playoffs," Keefe said following the club's optional skate. "And like we saw the other night, he gets two last game and those are two important goals for us in the game. He's going to contribute that way and that's what he's done all season for us. He's an important part of our team. That's not our focus, not my focus at all."
Matthews scored twice in a 6-4 win against the Florida Panthers on Monday to score his 61st and 62nd goals of the season. He's averaged 21 minutes per game this season but averaged just 17:58 over his last three contests as Keefe tries to limit the star's minutes.
It's been challenging for Keefe to begin resting star players, considering some of them, like Mitch Marner, have been out of the lineup.
"We haven't been able to play with our group very much here with the injuries that we had. Five players being out and they're gonna start to trickle back into our lineup. I think having our group in order is important," Keefe added. "But Auston's minutes have been, I think, in a really good place. And that's important for me. I'm monitoring that. So it's a balance of rest, but also staying sharp and keeping guys in game mode. That's really important too because, as you know, playoffs are hard and difficult and emotions are high and all of that. And you don't wanna slip too far the other way with having to climb your way back out of that."
The Maple Leafs head into their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on. Wednesday just four points back of the Panthers for second place in the Atlantic Division with two games in hand. Grabbing second in the division would allow the club to gain a home-ice advantage for the opening round of the playoffs.
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