New Jersey Devils
Sheldon Keefe Focused on Devils Home Opener, Not Maple Leafs Nostalgia
Head coach Sheldon Keefe explains he’s focused on the Devils securing two points against the Maple Leafs, rather than his love for Toronto.
For New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, there will be a familiar opponent on the other side of the ice on Thursday night. The Devils host the Toronto Maple Leafs for their home opener, Keefe’s first time coaching the Devils in a regular season game in front of the home crowd. Rather than cling to his Maple Leafs history, Keefe is focused on his team and fans in the seats at the Prudential Center.
READ: Devils vs. Maple Leafs: Projected Lines; Notes; How to Watch, & More
“For us, it’s our home opener. It’s my first time in front of the Devils fans,” Keefe explained. “So in that sense I’m more focused on that. It’s a little bizarre that the Leafs are coming in here, obviously. But other than the fact that we’ve got a lot to prepare for because it’s a very good team [we’re] playing against, I’m on the other side now and getting a sense of what other teams have had to contend with. I’m dealing with what’s been a top five or top 10 team in the regular season over the last number of years. So that’s what my focus is here tonight.”
Keefe made sure to keep it cordial. He expressed over and over he’s got nothing but love for the Maple Leafs organization. Still, the Devils head coach remembers how his former team were the beneficiaries of three goal reviews in their favor that resulted in a 2-1 Maple Leafs victory last season.
“I’m excited here for tonight to get a taste of it on this side and hope we get through without them throwing anything at us like they did a few years ago,” Keefe said.
The Devils are 2-0-0 on the season. They faced the Buffalo Sabres twice in the Global Series in convincing fashion. However, the Maple Leafs are viewed a notch above the Sabres as a playoff lock despite the coaching change in favor of Craig Berube.
Yesterday, the Devils players ensured Keefe led post practice drills as a sign of endearment, knowing who their next opponent was.
They remain hungry for two points, but have a little extra motivation to secure the win for their head coach.
“We know this is an emotional game for him, obviously, & we all want to help him to get that win,” Jesper Bratt explained.
“There’s definitely, in the room, some little extra motivation for sure,” captain Nico Hischier explained.
Puck drop between the Devils and Maple Leafs is at 7 P.M. Thursday night.
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