Maple Leafs’ Sheldon Keefe with controversial statement ahead of Game 4

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is confident Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner can be part of the solution for them in Game 4 on Wednesday night.

Ahead of a must-win game four, Keefe praised his players despite the fact that Matthews, Marner, along with captain John Tavares and William Nylander have yet to score during the series against Florida.

“The production and performance of these guys that we’re talking about and questioning, they’re the reason why we’re here, why we’re even playing when there’s only eight teams left” Keefe stated, per Luke Fox. 

That has to bug fans ahead of this do or die matchup as many have started to question if Matthews and Marner can really flip the narrative tonight in order to prevent a sweep elimination.

Fans were quite vocal after hearing Keefe’s controversial comments ahead of tonight’s matchup:

Matthews and Marner have combined for three assists so far against the Panthers.

“We’re the leaders, and we want to be the ones to step our foot forward,” Marner said. “We all know we got a lot better … and especially us.”

Time to prove it, Marner, cause this might be your last chance as a core in Toronto to do so.

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