'Let's Not Pile On The Negatives Here': Maple Leafs' Sheldon Keefe Defends Mitch Marner's Play After Being Critical of Star Earlier in the Day
Mitch Marner and Toronto's top line haven't been poor, but they haven't performed to their expectations as of late.
PITTSBURGH — If the stick doesn't work, sometimes you must go with the carrot.
That's what Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe did with his approach to analyzing Mitch Marner and his top line's play following his team's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.
Before the game, Keefe was asked about his team's top line: Marner, Auston Matthews and rookie Matthew Knies. He acknowledged that Marner hasn't been performing to the level of play that had been expected and that the line has had a hard time finding its rhythm.
"There is no doubt that Mitch hasn't found his groove yet," Keefe said.
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The line hasn't generated as many even-strength shot attempts or scoring chances as they have in past seasons. Keefe attributed some of that to matchups where the opposing team is opposing their best defensive players against the trio.
In the last seven games, Marner has three assists and Matthews has a goal and two assists.
Following Saturday's game, Keefe walked back some of the criticism of Marner's play in particular.
"I think we could all agree that they can play better, but one of the reports I get before every game, one of them I look at is our 5-on-5 scoring this season and at the top of the list is Mitch Marner," Keefe said. "We'll stay building out our team and building our group but let's not pile on the negatives here."
For his comments, Keefe is correct, Marner leads the team in 5-on-5 points with 13 points (four goals, nine assists), and Matthews is right behind him with 12 points (seven goals and five assists). But it still doesn't address a lack of overall output.
Marner was requested to speak to the media after the game but not made available. Matthews spoke how his line needs to be more connected on the ice.
"(Better) communication. Knowing and feeling where guys are going to be in spots and a lot of times it’s just effort-based rather than skill-based," Matthews said.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrATAFzih_M[/embed]
The Maple Leafs just completed their first two games after a week-long trip to Sweden for the 2023 NHL Global Series. The fell to the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime after giving up a 3-1 lead in a game they were dominating.
With a 10-6-3 record, the Maple Leafs are currently sitting in a wild card spot past the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, an unfamiliar spot for a talent-loaded roster.
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