Sheldon Keefe faces an extensive list of difficult playoff decisions as the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the Stanley Cup playoffs. With just seven games remaining in the regular season and limited time to address various challenges, Keefe finds himself under immense pressure to make critical choices.
The issue of special teams performance has plagued the Leafs not only during Keefe’s tenure but also under previous coach Mike Babcock. Over the past seven seasons, the team has consistently struggled to end playoff campaigns with more goals scored on special teams than conceded. Babcock’s teams notably faltered in crucial playoff series against Boston, where they surrendered multiple power-play goals and struggled on the penalty kill.
Effective penalty killing is paramount in playoff hockey, yet the Leafs have historically struggled in this area. Last postseason, their penalty kill operated at a subpar 73% success rate, which is concerning for a team with championship aspirations. Against Boston in previous years, their penalty kill percentages were even lower, highlighting significant deficiencies that must be addressed.
On the flip side, the Toronto power play boasts considerable firepower with stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly. With such talent at their disposal, there is no excuse for the Leafs not to excel with the man advantage. However, achieving success on the power play will require careful planning and execution from Keefe and his coaching staff.
As the playoffs loom, Keefe and his team must identify the optimal personnel for both penalty killing and power play units to maximize their chances of success in postseason play.