Keefe Sheldon After the Lightning 6 vs. Leafs 4 game, the player said, “I’m not afraid to admit to you that between the intermissions, I was watching footage of another team.”
Just recently, I realized that the game had 34 seconds remaining when we scored the 6-4 goal. That was an appropriate way for the regular season to end, given the kind of season he’s had.
He’s played so very brilliantly. A lot of attention has been paid to his quest for 70 goals, but it’s easy to overlook how good he has performed. Both his playing and his health are good. Watching it has been enjoyable.
Given the kind of play he’s shown over the past two games, he could have scored 75 points if given the right opportunities and shoots. That was not supposed to be. It’s alright. 69 is a fantastic season.
There were thirty-four seconds remaining. It gives me hope that Auston and our group have much more to offer.
It has been enjoyable. In some ways, it simplifies my work. It is more difficult in other respects. In addition to managing the team and his minutes, I’m working to advance the cause in this last stretch.
In the previous two or three months, he has raised his game to a new level. Despite some ups and downs throughout the course of his season, it is very amazing that he was able to end with the results he did. Being able to watch it is fantastic.
I mean, 69 is pretty damn amazing, too, but the players were really rooting for him in the last few minutes.
This team is excellent. We were going to be up against a very strong team either way. We’ll try our best to get ready now that we know who it is.
I’m not ashamed to tell you that during the intermissions of this first regular-season game, I watched footage of a different team. We are putting in every effort to ensure that we are ready to go. Our minds are at that point.
They won’t always be there; that much is certain. Human nature dictates this.
Although his game hasn’t changed, his numbers have in the last few moments. He was controlling play only a week ago. Similar to Auston’s struggles over the past few days, the puck wasn’t going in for him.
Willy has demonstrated over the past week that he is prepared to move on from regular-season hockey. I don’t worry about Willy.
Tenderness. Whether in practice or during games, he never stops pushing and giving it his all. He still makes a valuable contribution to our group and is a wonderful comrade.