The Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off an exciting comeback on Thursday night, forcing overtime en route to a 4-3 win over the visiting New Jersey Devils.
For Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, it was a bittersweet return to Scotiabank Arena, his first visit since getting axed by the Leafs last spring. A game he likely desperately wanted to win.
Keefe was in good humor following the defeat. According to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, he was even able to joke about falling to his old team, a real testament to just how strong a relationship he continues to have with the Maple Leafs organization.
Say what you will about him, Keefe remains a class act. Keefe took over behind the Leafs' bench in November 2019, replacing Mike Babcock.
He wasted little time putting his own stamp on things, becoming the second-fastest coach in NHL history to reach 200 career wins.
Despite regular-season success, his playoff struggles (1-5 in series) ultimately led to his departure after a Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins last May.
Toronto fans gave Keefe a warm reception during Thursday's game, a nod to what he meant to the team.
His return was somewhat spoiled when William Nylander scored the overtime winner to seal the Leafs' victory. Keefe could still find a way to have a bit of a laugh about the tough loss in his postgame interview.
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