Keefe believes Campbell is close to finding his game

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

Follow| Archive

The Maple Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Sunday before travelling to Columbus.

With Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek allowing goals at an alarming rate, Sheldon Keefe found himself watching his goalies closer than usual at Sunday's practice. 

"I was really happy with the way that those guys competed," the coach said. "Jack, especially having played last night, I thought he was excellent today. He battled and competed and I thought Petr just the same."

After an All-Star calibre first half, Campbell seems to be stuck in a downward spiral. His save percentage is .873 in 14 games since Jan. 8. The wheels have really fallen off of late with 19 goals allowed over his last four starts.  

"I'm just working through it as hard as I can," Campbell said after Saturday's setback. "Sometimes trying too hard isn't always the best thing ... I'll get it back. I promise I will."

Campbell revealed he was dealing with nerves as he returned to the net for the first time since being pulled in Detroit the previous Saturday. He wanted to win badly in part because beloved teammate Wayne Simmonds was playing his milestone 1,000th game. But Campbell was beaten five times on 28 shots as Vancouver rallied in the third period to steal the two points. 

"As I reflect on Jack's game last night, there were a couple that were real tough shots from the slot that any goalie is going to have a tough time with," Keefe said. "There were a few others where he is so close. They are barely getting over the line ... I look at the day he had today and I see a guy who looks close to finding his game again."

Campbell is often really hard on himself and that has created self-doubt, which he says has snowballed on