TEMPE, Ariz. — The Maple Leafs’ post-Christmas trip became a little more costly on Wednesday.
Coach Sheldon Keefe, meanwhile, was hit with a fine of $25,000 by the NHL for what the NHL called “demeaning conduct directed at the officials” during the Leafs’ 5-4 overtime win against the Blues.
Later, Leafs forward Zach Aston-Reese was cut by a high stick by Blues forward Brandon Saad and no penalty was called. Keefe didn’t hold back on the bench, making clear his displeasure to the referees.
After the game, Keefe said that “watching Zach get sewn up on the table is a little hard to take,” but didn’t say anything more.
Keefe wasn’t ruffled in getting fined.
“You get emotional in the game, because you’re competing just like anyone else is,” Keefe said after the Leafs practised at Mullett Arena. “But when the game is over, especially when you get two points, I don’t put too much thought or concern into any of it.”
The fines paid by the Leafs will go to the NHL Foundation.
HUNTING SEASON
Ten days after the Leafs acquired Dryden Hunt from the Colorado Avalanche, the forward will make his debut with Toronto on Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.
“You just want to get the first one out of the way initially, lots of nerves, but I’m excited,” Hunt said. “You want to come and make a good first impression.”
Including Wednesday, Hunt has taken part fully in two practices since the Leafs traded for him. He will skate on the fourth line, and Joey Anderson will be a healthy scratch.
“Bring energy, try to change momentum when I can,” Hunt said. “I watched Holmberg play the last couple games, didn’t know too much about him, but he’s good player. Very smart, seems like he might be easy to play with. I’ve played against Reeser (Zach Aston-Reese) for a while, so hopefully it becomes a good trio and we can feed off each other and make an impact.”
Said Keefe: “We want to get him involved and the timing is right for that.”
LOOSE LEAFS
Defenceman Rasmus Sandin will miss his third game in a row with a neck injury, but is not far off from returning after he practised on Wednesday. “You don’t want to play around when it’s your neck,” said Sandin, who was hurt on Dec. 20 against Tampa Bay. “A little bit precautionary, but I’m happy it is better now. It was very sore. The days off (for the Christmas break) helped me. We’ll take it day by day.” … The Coyotes have won their past two games, including a 6-3 home victory against Colorado on Tuesday. One of their 12 wins this season came in Toronto on Oct. 17, a 4-2 decision … Auston Matthews on the win in St. Louis: “Four days off and then jumping into a game, it’s not going to be perfect. You’re just trying to get your legs back and get back into rhythm. They’re not all going to be pretty, but we competed and we found a way to win. That’s all that matters. We’ll clean up some of the stuff we need to clean up and move on.”
