Keefe: Tavares among Leafs who 'got carried away'

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe wasn't impressed with the example captain John Tavares set during Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

"John Tavares has been the example for us, he's been outstanding for us for a long period of time," Keefe said postgame. "He himself got carried away tonight. That's our captain, so if that's gonna happen, then the rest of our bench is just picking it up as we go."

Tavares said Wednesday that he understands the reasoning for getting called out by Keefe.

"I think, especially as the captain, you really want to be at the top of the list of being accountable and setting the standard and the way we need to play," Tavares said. "He's good in discussions with me and throughout our lineup about 'when there's plays to be made, make the plays, certainly depending on the situation and in the game we're in.'

"I had an opportunity in the second period, tried to make a play, and misjudged it. That's on me. Obviously, I have to be accountable, hold (myself) to a high standard, especially as the captain, doing the right things."

The Maple Leafs outshot the Devils 45-25, but a series of turnovers and mistakes allowed New Jersey to be opportunistic and convert on odd-man rushes.

Toronto had energy from the get-go, racking up 25 shots in the first period alone. Keefe believes the Leafs got too comfortable afterward.

"I just thought we got incredibly sloppy and careless," he said. "I thought our guys got a little too excited, a little too carried away."

Tavares signed a seven-year, $77-million contract with the Leafs as a free agent in 2018 and was named captain the following year.

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