The Toronto Maple Leafs earned a 1-0 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets, with goaltender Ilya Samsonov making 32 saves. However, during the first power play of the game, Toronto's top forwards were caught flat-footed in a line change, leading to a 2-on-0 opportunity for the Jets. Coach Sheldon Keefe benched his top power-play unit and utilized the second unit for the entire two minutes, aiming to hold his players accountable.

Why It Matters

The benching of the top players during a critical power-play situation reflects Keefe's commitment to accountability and the team's performance. The move emphasizes the need for top performers to maintain consistency and execute crucial plays, especially in special teams situations, to secure victories.

By the Numbers
  • Maple Leafs went 0-for-5 on power-play opportunities in the game
  • 1-for-20 with the man advantage over their last eight games
State of Play
  • Keefe's decision to hold top players accountable indicates a focus on reinforcing discipline and performance standards
  • The team's recent struggle with special teams, specifically the power play, is evident in the 1-for-20 performance over the last eight games
What's Next

The Maple Leafs' response to the benching and their performance in upcoming games, particularly in power-play situations, will be closely scrutinized to determine if the accountability measures yield improvement.

Bottom Line

Sheldon Keefe's bold move to bench top players underscores the team's commitment to accountability and performance excellence, setting a high standard for top performers in critical game situations.