Sheldon Keefe has surprising reaction to latest loss

The host Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to deal their Original 6 and Atlantic Division rival Boston Bruins a 4th straight loss last night at Scotiabank Arena. 

Despite forward Calle Jarnkrok tallying midway through the third period to cut Boston's lead to a single goal, it wouldn't be long before they'd come right back to restore the double digit lead; Bruins forward Pavel Zacha would light the lamp twice in the third period, while Derek Forbort would score shorthanded in the game's middle frame. 

According to head coach Sheldon Keefe, it was Toronto's mistakes that enabled Boston to open the door to a win.

"The first two periods were close," Keefe said. "Obviously, it is a 2-1 hockey game after two periods. It is right there."

"We talked about it this morning. They are a team that puts themselves in a spot to win games and forces the opposition to chase it. When it opens up, they make you pay for it. That is kind of what happened here."

However, he wasn't exactly in a doom and gloom mood afterward, saying that this setback will be a good thing for them as they enter the NHL All-Star break.

"We know we are a good team," Keefe said. "We are in a good spot. This is a tough way to go into the break, but maybe it will be good for us in the sense that we have had a really good season to this point."

"We need a break. Everybody needs a break at this point in time. When we come back, we can be inspired by the season we have had to date and yet motivated by the fact that we have a ways to go. We can grow here."