Keefe sounds off on Leafs' defense: Goals against are 'out of control'

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't mince words after his team's 6-3 loss on home ice against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

"We've got to pull together here to keep pucks out of our net," Keefe said, according to The Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "It's out of control."

The Maple Leafs have given up 47 goals in 13 games - the third most league-wide. They've allowed at least three goals in 10 of 13 contests this season.

"We sit in here, and we celebrate guys who score big numbers and score a ton and all that kind of stuff," Keefe said, according to Koshan. "We don't talk enough about what we give up. That's the reality. We've got to prioritize keeping the puck out of our net."

Keefe described his level of concern over the defensive play as "very high," per Koshan.

"Some of it is individual, some of it is collective within the structure," the head coach said. "Some of it is just being committed to it, you know?"

Free-agent signing John Klingberg has been a focal point of the Maple Leafs' defensive struggles. The blue-liner was on the ice for another four goals against at five-on-five against the Senators, dropping him to a minus-8 on the year. Recent recall William Lagesson replaced him on the second pairing in the third period.

"We need to protect (Klingberg) better," Keefe admitted, according to The Hockey News' Mike Stephens.

The Maple Leafs have allowed four or more goals in all seven home games to commence the campaign.

"Our fans deserve better," Keefe said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Toronto's next opportunity to turn its defensive play around comes Friday at home to the 4-7-1 Calgary Flames.

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