Keefe was coaching an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since being fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9. Having been hired by the Devils 14 days later, he’d faced his former team twice this season, both at Prudential Center.

William Nylander scored his second goal of the game at 1:10 of overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs battled back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits in the third period to down the New Jersey

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on Dec. 10. On Thursday, Sheldon Keefe will coach in Toronto for the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils. NEWARK, N.J. — The slogan that lines the dressing room wall of Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils team reads: Compete. Commit. Connect.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens NHL game to be played on January 18, 2025 on ESPN.

The New Jersey Devils had a quick one-game travel break in between some home games. They visited the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 16. Despite their best efforts, it was the Maple Leafs who were able to take home the victory 4-3 in overtime.

Until the Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner and William Nylander realize why exactly fans are booing, there's no reason to believe anything will change when the playoffs begin.

For the first time this season, William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered three straight losses in regulation. Despite this, they hold onto first place in the Atlantic Division, which should help ease some of the criticism.