“That’s another league,” Avalanche trio Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews receive high praise from Sheldon Keefe for dynamic ‘caliber of play’

Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe lauded the Avalanche's top line - Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews for their extraordinary game in a 5-3 comeback victory.

“That’s another league,” Avalanche trio Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews receive high praise from Sheldon Keefe for dynamic ‘caliber of play’

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar (L), Sheldon Keefe (M), Devon Toews (R) [Image Credit: Facebook/from the Leafs Nation/NHL Trade Rumors]

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe highly praised Colorado Avalanche trio Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews for their performance in the latest faceoff. Despite the Leafs facing a humiliating 3-5 defeat, Keefe did not hold back from showering Avs with praise.

He admitted that it was an extraordinary comeback victory considering the team still lacked key players in the game. Keefe did not hesitate to call out John Tavares and William Nylander’s game as they were expected to deliver a high performance in the ongoing season. Their trio including Auston Matthews, failed to match up against the 2022 Stanley Cup winners.

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MacKinnon’s wrist shot off his back foot amazed the fans in the arena as well as their opponent’s coach. He along with assists from Mikko Rantanen, and Jonathan Drouin smashed the Leafs in the third period, sealing off their 5-3 comeback victory. Keefe highly praised the team stating,

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When MacKinnon’s line gets out there with Makar and Toews, the caliber of play, like that’s not the NHL. That’s another league.
Sheldon Keefe in the post-press conference.

The Avalanche’s top line dominated the entire game through excellent chemistry and skillfully orchestrated play. The team snatched their victory despite missing Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, and their captain Gabriel Landeskog. Although Landeskog has returned to practice he is yet to make his official debut from injury on-ice.

Sheldon Keefe admits Leafs have to “be even or better” to beat Avalanche’s “top group”

Following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ devastating loss, Sheldon Keefe revealed why they were unable to beat the Colorado Avalanche despite key missing players. He admits Avs’ star-studded lineup forms their “top group…they’re big time.”

Sheldon Keefe [Image Credit: Toronto Star]
Sheldon Keefe [Image Credit: Toronto Star]

He said to even be able to “compete against that team, especially when they are shorthanded…you’ve got to be even or better on special teams.” He called out William Nylander and John Tavares line in particular as they are both world-class players yet they were unable to show their play on ice.

Even when they’re shorthanded, those guys are driving everything. They’re tilting the ice in their favor. We weren’t able to manage that well enough…I knew our game had to get better…You’re not going to beat that team.
Sheldon Keefe as per The Denver Post.

On Red Wings vs Leafs’ game, Keefe noted that there was “not enough offense for us tonight”. He mentioned Morgan Rielly breaking his stick and how it affected the play. He admits “sh*t happens sometimes” but the Leafs top line failed to deliver expected results.

On the other hand, Keefe welcomed Ilya Samsonov returning to the game. “I thought he battled his a** off,” he said. He praised the goalie saying it’s a “positive step for him” but unfortunately the overall result was “disappointing”. It’ll be interesting to see how the team picks themselves up in the rest 2024 regular season matches.

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