Devils coach Sheldon Keefe’s message to his team after one of their best periods of the season was to keep up their pressure, but not get too overconfident since they still had not scored and the game wasn’t over. What he didn’t tell them was that he had a feeling Sunday’s game wouldn’t end well. His fears came true 40 minutes later.

The New Jersey Devils are a Stanley Cup contender once again in 2024-25. Sheldon Keefe has made an impact in his first season as head coach. For instance, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have become dominant forces in this league.

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.