Keefe: ‘Simple resolution’ to start out Jones for Maple Leafs versus Sharks

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Giving Martin Jones one other begin within the Maple Leafs internet got here naturally for coach Sheldon Keefe on Tuesday.

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With the way in which Jones has been taking part in these days, it’s of little marvel why.

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Jones, named the Nationwide Hockey League second star of the week on Monday, will probably be again within the crease when the Leafs play host to the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Enviornment.

As Joseph Woll recovers from a sprained ankle and Ilya Samsonov works with Toronto Marlies goalie coach Hannu Toivonen and the Leafs’ improvement workers, Jones has began the previous 4 video games and eight of the previous 10. Not often has he faltered.

“I feel he’s dealing with (the workload) nice,” Keefe mentioned. “And going into the sport (Tuesday), he has performed one recreation within the final 5 days. From that side, I feel he’s feeling good and rested and clearly assured. Simple resolution to maintain him going.”

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In the intervening time, backup netminder Dennis Hildeby must watch for his first begin within the NHL, offered it comes in some unspecified time in the future.

In opposition to the Sharks, who’re mired in an 11-game dropping streak and are in final place within the NHL, the Leafs will try to construct off their three-game sweep in California.

Toronto has received three in a row, together with a 4-1 resolution in San Jose on Saturday, and has given up only one aim at five-on-five in its previous 4 video games. 

“The final couple of weeks we’ve defended lots higher, performed lots higher in our personal zone, breaking pucks out and defending higher as a workforce,” veteran defenceman Mark Giordano mentioned. “Everytime you try this, you give your self an opportunity each evening. As these previous couple of video games have gone on, we’ve been actually affected person throughout the recreation. There have been some shut video games the place we’ve carried play, however we’ve not bought annoyed and stayed affected person and the (constructive) outcomes got here.”

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There may very well be a lineup change for the Leafs. After sitting the previous two video games as a wholesome scratch, winger Nick Robertson might draw again in.

An sickness that made its manner by the Leafs room a number of weeks in the past has popped again up, Keefe mentioned, although he didn’t establish which gamers may very well be game-time selections.

Keefe has appreciated Pontus Holmberg on the left wing on the third line and has little curiosity in taking fourth-liner Bobby McMann out of the lineup. So Robertson has been the odd man out.

“I feel he has proven that he can play the league,” Keefe mentioned in reference to Robertson. “Additionally, I don’t know that he’s actually absolutely separated himself from the pack. That’s the following piece. I’ve talked to him about significance of caring for the puck and with the ability to execute performs.

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“When there’s an opportunity to make a play or a go or shot on aim, a variety of these performs have kind of slipped off his stick or haven’t fairly been easy, and it’s kind of disrupted the offence, which results in having to defend extra.”

As for the Sharks, they haven’t received since beating the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 12 and have been outscored 47-16 in dropping 11 in a row in regulation.

“We’ve been in a tricky stretch and one of many issues as a gaggle we felt fairly proud about is we’ve misplaced some video games we most likely ought to have received,” Sharks coach David Quinn mentioned. “(The loss towards Toronto three days in the past) wasn’t one in every of them. There was not a variety of resistance on our finish of it. I don’t assume anyone felt actually good about what occurred towards Toronto.”

Kaapo Kahkonen was the primary Sharks goalie off the ice on the morning skate and is predicted to start out. In two profession video games towards the Leafs, he’s 1-1-0 with a .898 save proportion.

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