Sheldon Keefe reveals how Morgan Rielly suspension helped him rally Maple Leafs to playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe is entering his fifth postseason at the helm of one of hockey’s most iconic franchises.

Prior to tonight’s game 1 first-round matchup against the Boston Bruins, Keefe spoke to David Amber, reflecting on the Leafs’ journey so far this season.

While the NHL season is long, there are key moments throughout the year that stand out among others. One such moment was the five-game suspension handed out to Morgan Rielly for cross-checking on Ottawa’s Ridly Greig on February 10.

Keefe commented on the incident, as reported by Sportsnet:

"If you want to use the term a ‘seminal moment,’ to me, it’s that game we had in Ottawa, where Morgan Reilly ends up getting suspended."

That “seminal moment” sparked a turnaround as the Leafs found themselves slumping, at times facing the risk of losing a playoff spot.

The loss of a core member forced the rest of the squad to pick up the slack. Keefe continued:

"You’re looking for your moments as a coach through the season. Sometimes, you manufacture them yourself. Sometimes they’re right there for you."

Indeed, Keefe took that opportunity to make a seemingly embarrassing situation into a teachable moment.

"I interpreted it as him defending the honor of the team. I thought that moment, as a coach, was a great opportunity for me to grab the attention of our team and I capitalized on that and felt that the group really responded."

The club put together a solid streak that solidified their playoff position, and now the Leafs are eager to end the NHL’s longest Stanley Cup drought.

Sheldon Keefe and the Leafs looking for success

Before joining the Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe had a successful track record with the Toronto Marlies. His success in the American Hockey League culminated with a Calder Cup victory in 2018. That championship earned Keefe a chance to coach in the NHL.

Since taking over from Mike Babcock midway through the 2019-2020 season, Keefe and the Leafs have made four postseason appearances. The club reached a significant milestone last season as the Leafs bounced the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, marking their first playoff series victory since 2004.

Despite progress, the Leafs’ fan base demands greater success. While exciting, a second-round appearance is not enough to quell Toronto fans’ championship thirst. Given the star-studded lineup the Leafs boast, including Rocket Richard winner and Hart Trophy candidate Auston Matthews, fans and analysts expect the Leafs to challenge the Bruins.

Anything short of a Conference Finals appearance would be seen as a disappointment in Leafs Land. Sheldon Keefe and company will first need to get past the Bruins, as they march their way to Toronto’s first Stanley Cup since 1967.