New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe had a challenging home debut as his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, spoiled the night with a 4-2 victory. Keefe, who previously coached the Maple Leafs for five seasons before being hired by the Devils, faced off against his old team for the first time since his departure.
Reflecting on the game, Keefe humorously mentioned that he had to adjust from the red Devils colors to the blue and white of the Maple Leafs. Despite the loss, Keefe remained focused on building the Devils’ game and not getting too caught up in facing his former team.
Prior to the game against the Maple Leafs, the Devils had a successful start to the season with back-to-back wins against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague during the NHL Global Series. Keefe expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete with top teams in the league, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the task at hand.
During his tenure with the Maple Leafs, Keefe guided the team to an impressive regular-season record but faced challenges in the playoffs, only advancing past the first round once. Despite his success in the regular season, Keefe’s ultimate goal is to lead the Devils to success and establish their own identity as a competitive team in the league.
The game against the Maple Leafs served as a reunion of sorts for Keefe, who had to face familiar faces on the opposing bench. As he continues to navigate his new role with the Devils, Keefe remains determined to focus on the present and work towards achieving success with his current team.
Looking ahead, Keefe and the Devils will use the experience gained from the game against the Maple Leafs to make adjustments and improvements as they progress through the season. While the outcome may not have been in their favor, Keefe’s competitive spirit and dedication to his team’s success will drive the Devils forward as they strive to make their mark in the NHL.