Kallgren hopes for luck of Irish in second start
For the first time in weeks, coach Sheldon Keefe could talk goaltending without getting grumpy or second-guessing himself.
While goalie Erik Kallgren is still a man of mystery, his 35-save shutout and no regulation goals allowed over four-plus periods made coach Keefe’s decision process a lot easier for Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
“Not a lot of thought goes into it, simple as that,” Keefe said. “He obviously earned it and the way the guys played in front of him, it was an easy decision.”
Unlike Jack Campbell’s spate of soft goals before his rib injury or Petr Mrazek’s jittery antics in recent starts, Kallgren was poised to begin Tuesday’s game and the Leafs defence and offence took its cue in an eventual 4-0 win over Dallas.
“He just comes in, does his job, shows a calmness,” said forward Mitch Marner.
Kallgren enjoyed his first night of NHL celebrity, here and with a series of texts and emails back home to Sweden.
“I didn’t get to bed until 12:30 a.m., I was a little more amped up,” Kallgren said. “A lot of things to digest, a lot of people reached out, a lot of them helped get me to where I am today. Friends, old teammates, it was fun to share it with them. I have a lot of texts to respond to today.
“I think my Dad stayed up to watch the game, but I’ll (Face-time his parents) today. It’s been a surreal week and I’m just trying to enjoy it. But it’s all about recharging for tomorrow.”
After Kallgren spoke, Mrazek faced the media, showing no outward signs of the disappointment he must feel at being given the keys while Campbell is out, but losing three of four games, each one surrendering at least four goals.
“It’s a business, we go day-by-day, game-by-game,” Mrazek said. “He deserved the first star and I’m happy for him.
“Just be positive, move on and do the right things on the ice. Feel good about yourself in practice, feel the puck.”
Keefe was not worried about the 30-year-old’s mindset. Mrazek signed a three-year deal and despite the setbacks and current .884 save percentage, he has managed 10 wins.
“He’s a confident guy and he’s been through this kind of stuff through his career. He’s had some down swings, found his way back and has also been a guy who has shared the net a lot. My talk with him has been to use this (idle) time as a benefit. Clear your head and be ready when your next start comes.”
Mrazek had ordered themed gear months ago for Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day game in case he started against his former Hurricanes team, but Kallgren will be wearing the green and white in the crease. He did have a special Marlies mask painted in anticipation of the farm team’s early afternoon game at Coca-cola Coliseum versus Hershey.
Keefe called the challenge against the Metro Division-leading Hurricanes “a different beast” than the Stars, which ended a string of seven games versus current non-playoff teams, Toronto settling for a record of 3-4.
No major changes in lines and defence pairings are evident from what Keefe created Tuesday in the wake of Auston Matthews’ suspension. John Tavares centred the first line Wednesday with Marner and Ondrej Kase, while Kyle Clifford, who replaced Wayne Simmonds, remains in the plan, now with Jason Spezza and Nick Robertson on the fourth unit.
“(Clifford) gave us good energy, good legs, was on top of the puck and was physical,” Keefe said. “That line did a really good job on the forecheck and spent a lot of time in the offensive zone. There was a lot of things I was looking for from them.”
Thursday will be a special-teams’ bonanza, the Leafs’ No. 1 power play, albeit minus Matthews, against Carolina’s league-leading penalty kill. The sub plot is Toronto hiring assistant Dean Chynoweth away from the Hurricanes to help its own PK group which is a respectable top five.
“We’ve played them twice this year and felt that (special teams’ strength),” Keefe said. “They’re elite. It’s definitely a challenge to execute (the man advantage) under a lot of pressure and on the penalty kill, we’ll definitely be put to the test.”
In all the fuss over the Leafs’ lack of success last week, Sheldon Keefe’s club record was almost a footnote.
Tuesday was not only his 100th win, but he’s the fastest to that mark in franchise history, in 163 games. Keefe said that had slipped his mind, until captain John Tavares gave him a game puck afterward.
“Coaches don’t win games, teams do,” Keefe said. “Players and staff make up this organization. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
Only 10 Toronto coaches have won 100, while Keefe tied for the fifth fastest in NHL history to that number. There had to be two souvenir pucks handed out on Tuesday, as Erik Kallgren received one to mark his first NHL win and shutout.