Nylander took part in the team's full morning skate, but signs point the forward sitting out again with an undisclosed injury.
BOSTON — William Nylander was on the ice with his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates, but if you're going based on his participation, it doesn't look like he's well enough to take part in Game 2 of their best-of-seven playoff series with the Boston Bruins.
Nylander did not take part in any of the main drills during the club's full morning skate on Monday and appeared to be laboring at times during his skate around the TD Garden ice.
The skilled forward stayed out late for some extra work, another telling sign that the forward will sit out another game with an undisclosed injury.
"It’s only a matter of time until he’s back in the lineup and we’ve got to do what we can without him and hopefully get a win tonight," Nick Robertson said of Nylander
What was interesting to note during Toronto's availability was that Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe actually gave an update on Nylander's health when asked if was good to see the 27-year-old Swede on the ice.
"Good to see him with the group. Looks good out there. For sure the group is happy to have him. We’ll see how he feels the rest of the day here and then make a decision."
Heading into the series, Keefe has made it a point to say he wouldn't be given any lineup updates about his group.
So why did he offer it up this time around? It's likely to throw off the Bruins' off the scent as both sides taking part in some gamesmanship during the playoffs.
The Bruins have been coy about revealing their starting goaltender with each game. When deciding between Jeremy Swayman and Linus UIlmark, On Monday morning, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said the goalie for Game 2 has two vowels in both their first and last name. Apparently, there was no follow-up asking if he was counting 'y' as a vowel.
The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1 to take Game 1 of their first-round series. Nylander was unable to take part in the contest despite playing in all 82 regular season games for the club. He had 40 goals and 58 assists in 2023-24 and there's no question the Leafs are better with the talented winger in the lineup.
Based on all the signs, the likelihood that Nylander plays in Game 2 isn't high. But it is the playoffs. So never say never.
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