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The Toronto Maple Leafs work ethic and tenacity at both ends of the ice were the most prominent reasons for their excellent record in November and December. Without one or both of their goaltenders and an injury-depleted blueline, the Leafs were able to post a 19-4-4 record and allow only 56 goals against (2nd only to Boston), but as the club has returned to health, their emphasis on defense has waned.
The Leafs take on the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday in the second of a three-game homestand, and head coach Sheldon Keefe is not underestimating the club in third place in the Pacific Division in their sophomore season.
"They you score a lot. Obviously, we're here in the east and maybe we wouldn't be paying that much attention, but (they are the) number one team in the NHL at five-on-five goals. It's coming from all four lines and their defense. Great depth that can make you pay when you make mistakes. They come in waves, have lots of practice and skill and they play very well as a team." Keefe said. "Special teams haven't gone as well for them and that scenario, we need to be better than we were the other night and try to get an edge there."
The Leafs scored a power-play goal against St. Louis on Tuesday but allowed a short-handed goal and two Blues power-play markers. Keefe is looking for his club to tighten up defensively after allowing 11 goals in two losses to Arizona and St. Louis but is sticking with the same lineup that has played the last two games.
"This is the group we believe in. It's a group that is now, by and large that started the season with." Keefe said. "I'll give time for things to settle back in here with Sandin and Rielly coming back, and Brodie not too long ago, it wasn't an option for us. We like a lot of things that (Conor)Timmins has done and (Jordie) Benn the time he's come in, he's done a good job for us too. We do have some back-to-backs approaching, but that said I think it's also important that we give our group some time to recalibrate."
William Nylander took part in the club’s optional skate on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice due to an unspecified illness and will be in the lineup, and Matt Murray (9-3-2, 2.44 GAA, .920 save %) will be in goal for the Leafs, and Martin Jones (16-5-3, 2.92 GAA, .890 save %) will be between the pipes for Seattle.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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