Maple Leafs’ William Nylander Expects Game 4 to be ‘Fun’ as Club Faces Elimination
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander says he thinks Game 4 will be fun, despite his team being down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers in their best-of-seven series.
SUNRISE, Fla. — Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander is playing it cool, despite the fact that his team is down 3-0 in their best-of-seven playoff series with the Florida Panthers.
"I think it will be fun," the Swede said with a smile following the team's practice on Tuesday.
When asked why he felt that way, Nylander's reply was short.
"Because that's when you have to play your best."
Nylander is one Toronto's core-four forwards that have been mostly absent on the scoresheet during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although Nylander recorded two goals and five assists in Toronto's first-round series win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has just one assist in the three games against the Panthers.
The 27-year-old isn't the only player who has gone cold among the core.
Nylander, along with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares have combined for zero goals in the series.
The Maple Leafs need to win four consecutive games if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2002. A series sweep would be an embarrassing outcome for a team that won its first playoff series since 2004.
Nylander has never been down 3-0 in a playoff series at any level of his hockey career
"Obviously, the next game is huge for our club."
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