William Nylander Turns the "Fun" of Game 4 into Dominant Performance in Maple Leafs Win Against Panthers
From forecheck to backcheck, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was easily his team's best skater and the star forward helped his team avoid getting swept at the hands of the Florida Panthers.
SUNRISE, Fla. — William Nylander brought much attention to himself one day before Game 4 when he was asked about the daunting task ahead of his Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I think it will be fun," he said with a smile.
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Admitting he had never taken part in a best-of-seven series when he was down 3-0, he followed up by saying these types of games are where you "bring your best".
Without question, Nylander delivered on that. He scored a goal and played a complete 200-foot game that helped the Leafs escape the brooms at FLA Live Arena with a 2-1 victory against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday and forcing another do-or-die game at Scotiabank Arena on Friday.
With Toronto's core-four forwards having gone the first three games of the second-round series without a goal, Nylander got the offense started in the second period while on the power play. Michael Bunting's attempt to pass along the boards went off referee Jon McIssac's knee. Nylander was right at the net to pick up the bounce and open the scoring for Toronto.
While the goal was certainly helpful, as fluky a bounce it may have been, Nylander's game outside of the goal was where he shined. He was aggressive on the forecheck helping create chances for his team. There were several instances when the Swede skated all the way back to cover off someone else's mistake, get a good stick check in, and break up a Florida scoring chance.
He also blocked shots.
"He's had the puck a lot," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said of Nylander. "It's nice to see him rewarded because he's doing a lot of good things. Sometimes they just don't go in. But you've just got to stay with it and find a way and he made some really good plays today."
Mitch Marner assisted on Nylander's goal and scored one of his own. It ended up being critical as his tally stood up as the game-winner.
But after the game, Nylander didn't allow himself any time to celebrate or take joy in what his team accomplished.
Toronto still has to win three consecutive games if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2002.
There were no smiles from the player affectionately known as 'Willy Styles' when he took the podium to answer questions.
He was all business.
"I've been serious the entire time in the playoffs. I just think in these moments guys have to play and show what they bring to the table," he said. "I think as a team we did a really good job of that tonight. It's not going to get easier. We know we're up against a great team and just got to keep digging in and playing harder and harder every game that goes."
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe could feel Nylander was dialed in early. Deploying 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second consecutive game, Nylander's primary assignment was with familiar forwards Tavares and Alex Kerfoot. After initially double-shifting on the fourth line, Nylander was pressed up later in the game to play with Marner and Auston Matthews as Toronto looked to push to add to their lead.
"I thought Will, like a lot of our guys, just dug in a little bit more," Keefe said. "Everybody has a little bit more to give and Will is no different."
In the 2:31 of time Nylander played with Matthews and Marner, the line had a 100 percent expect-goals rating, per NaturalStatTrick.com.
There were several factors that led to Toronto's win over Florida. Joseph Woll made made 24 saves in the victory in his first NHL playoff start. He was pressed into duty after Ilya Samsonov sustained an upper-body injury in Game 3.
But when Nylander has a game like he did in Game 4, the Maple Leafs are tough to beat.
Toronto has a chance. They became the first team since 2017 to avoid getting swept as the road team going into Game 4. Seven teams before them failed to do what the Leafs just did.
Now it's on them to make it mean something.
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