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Sheldon Keefe rips Leafs players a new one after loss

He was NOT happy with their effort.

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

To say that Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was displeased with his team's effort during last night's exhibition contest against the rival Montreal Canadiens would be an understatement. Toronto blew what was a two-goal lead, allowing the Habs back into the game and eventually falling in overtime by a 5-4 final score. 

Captain Nick Suzuki's tally in the extra session completed the comeback for the visiting Habs, leading to an extremely bitter feeling for Keefe - and he wants his players to feel the same way. 

"Hopefully, they leave pretty bitter with how the game finishes up. Whether it is preseason or not, if you have a lead, you have to take care of the game and win the game.

Just a sloppy game, not taking care of the puck well and being a little too cute with it. Those are things that — preseason or not — you like to think we’re past a lot of that stuff. We weren’t tonight. But we have time to get that fixed."

While the games don't officially matter in terms of points in the standings, players don't want to fall into bad habits that could carry over into the regular season. 

“This time of year you start ramping up and getting the competitive juices flowing,” said Toronto winger Max Domi, who scored against his former club. “We’re getting close to (real games).”

Can the Leafs clean up their mistakes? 

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