Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe says there will be "less tolerance" for defensive mistakes following his team's recent six-goal loss to the Blue Jackets, as reported by David Alter of Sports Illustrated.
In line with this defensive focus, Keefe has made a significant move by announcing that centre David Kämpf will be a healthy scratch for tonight's game against Carolina. This decision serves as a clear example of the team's commitment to addressing defensive issues, with Pontus Holmberg stepping in to fill the void.
After Friday's disappointing loss, goalie Ilya Samsonov faced criticism for allowing six goals on 21 shots. Keefe emphasized the importance of strong goaltending in the NHL, stating, "It's the NHL. We need saves." However, Keefe also held the skaters accountable, recognizing that mistakes become more glaring when crucial saves are not made.