'You Really Want To Be At The Top Of The List For Being Accountable': Maple Leafs Captain John Tavares Responds to Being Called Out by Sheldon Keefe Following Loss to Devils

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe turned some heads when he made it a point to mention John Tavares as one of several experienced players that played an “immature” game in a 6-3 loss to the New Jesey Devils on Tuesday.

With 11 games to go in the regular season, Keefe clarified that Tavares was merely added and not necessarily singled out in his comments. Following the loss, Keefe made a point to address the group, something he doesn’t do after game unless the team wins and shared the same sentiment toward’s the teams play as he did to the media.

“I felt it was needed so they had a pretty good sense of where I was at,” Keefe said.. “We chatted, we had a meeting today just about reframing things and recognizing the things that I didn’t like and the things that I feel they shouldn’t like about last night and press on.”

Tavares address the situation on Wednesday and felt Keefe’s comments were fair.

“I think especially as the captain, you really want to be at the top of the list for being accountable and setting the standard and the way we need to play,” Tavares said. ” I had an opportunity in the second period that I thought tried to make a play and misjudged it. That’s on me. So, you know, obviously you have to continue to be accountable, hold yourself to a high standard, especially as the captain and do the right things.”

Tavares didn’t specify what play he was referring to but the captain has been feeling it this season. Earlier this season, Tavares was benched for much of the third period in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. He also saw himself demoted to the team’s third line and spent some games off the club’s first power-play unit before returning to both of those roles recently.

Keefe sounded like a coach who was fed up by his team taking shifts off, citing that he’s seen this issue with his core players over the years.

While acknowledging there might be other factors that led to the Leafs having a slip-up against the Devils, whether it was fatigue or injuries, Keefe vowed to continue to push his team as they approach the playoffs next month.

“It doesn’t mean I’m not going to bring it up to their attention and let them know we’re not happy about it,” Keefe said. We’re trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again. And based on the way our group has been over the last couple of months, I’m expecting that it won’t and we press on.”

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