The Toronto Maple Leafs fired Mike Babock after they lost their sixth game in a row.
But it wasn’t just the losing that got Babcock fired. The players hated playing for him, and they weren’t having fun coming to the rink anymore. They played the Penguins three days before he was fired, and it was clear the team quit on their coach.
Enter Sheldon Keefe.
Since being hired, Keefe has the Leafs playing to their strengths – activating the defensemen, rushing the puck, focusing on possession and creating high-danger scoring chances.
So far, so good.