Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander deserves a callback as centre after last nights game against Boston.
In the conclusion of the regular season series against Boston, the Toronto Maple Leafs showed resilience again by bouncing back from a one-goal deficit and defeating the Bruins 4 – 3. It’s something the team has grown and matured allot it. Where they were known to blow leads last year, they can now protect leads and even bounce back.
The Toronto Maple Leafs even improved on their defensive last night, despite playing without Matthews. Allowing just 23 shots on goal last night, that the first time Toronto allowed less than 30 goals in 4 games and just the second time in 8 games. The Leafs finished the game with an impressive 62% possession rating. With or without Matthews, that’s a great game.
Perhaps it has something to do with Travis Dermott leading all Leafs defenseman in ice-time at 5v5 with 18:24. Allowing just 4 shots against, and putting up a 59% possession rating.
Overall, the Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the game, especially in the second period, in which the Bruins had no answer to the play of Toronto.
Toronto’s lines
Mike Babcock undoubtedly surprised friend and foe with his offensive line combinations. Expected from practice was that Connor Brown would skate with Nylander and Hyman, instead, Babcock chose to play Marner with Nylander, breaking up the Kadri line. This proved to be a smart move, as Nylander and Marner combined for nearly 70% possession. When together with Hyman, they were 75%.
More surprisingly to me, Babcock opted to keep Kapanen (who had an amazing night) on the fourth line, promoting Komarov to the Kadri line. Komarov, has no offense to his game, but does remain the Leafs best defensive player by a mile.
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It seems Toronto simply does not have the answer to counter that Patrice Bergeron line, but then again, what team does? Let’s hope they figure something out soon in case we meet Boston in the playoffs.
William Nylander
William Nylander played a very solid two-way game and definitely deserves a callback for the upcoming games without Matthews. Assisting on the tying goal from Marner in the first period with a beautiful pass and setting up Ron Hainsey for the game-winning goal, Nylander provided offense.
There was no question on Nylander’s offensive capabilities coming into this game, there were, however, concerns whether he could play a solid defensive game while still providing offense.
The answer is yes. Nylander’s play was plain dominant. Controlling the puck and play with a Corsi For of 71.4%, while allowing just 3 shots on goals and no high danger chances against when 5 on 5.
Nylander was dominant and should never play a game as a winger again.
Next: Best Leafs Trades of the Last 5-10 Years
Up next
The Toronto Maple Leafs will take a trip to Florida and play a back-to-back series against the Lightning and the Panthers. After that, they will have three days off before visiting the Washington Capitals.
Let’s hope we’ll see William Nylander back at centre in these games, winged by either Marner again or Kasperi Kapanen.
Thanks for reading!
Stats from naturalstattrick