Glaring Difference Between Craig Berube and Sheldon Keefe Paying Dividends for Maple Leafs
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
TSN’s Bryan Hayes revealed a massive difference in how Craig Berube has deployed the Maple Leafs’ stars in comparison to former coach Sheldon Keefe.
As TSN’s Bryan Hayes pointed out after the Leafs escaped with a second consecutive overtime win, only two players played more than 20 minutes and none were under 10 minutes for Berube. Morgan Rielly (20:11) and Jake McCabe (21:48) were the only two Leafs to see more than 20 minutes, and it was the second time in three games where Berube managed to keep much of his lineup under the 20-minute mark.
Under Sheldon Keefe, the Leafs rode their stars, often too much and didn’t allow their bottom-six to get overly involved in any game. Even as he finds himself down 2-0 with New Jersey against Carolina, Keefe has continued to lean on his ‘big guys’ having as many as five players top the 20-minute mark through two games, with the majority seeing more than 22 minutes of ice in the first two games.
With Berube at the helm, the Leafs’ bottom-six, and third defensive pairing have been given far more trust and a longer leash than they were at any point under Keefe and it is paying dividends through three games.
The Leafs’ stars are producing and remain fresh, while the rest of the lineup stays engaged in the game and has been able to create chaos in the Senators’ zone.
An opportunity to sweep a series for the first time since, ironically, the Leafs swept the Senators in 2001, Berube has not only brought better defensive play and mentality to the Leafs, but an understanding that in the playoffs, everyone can contribute – something that Keefe is still figuring out.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
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