The Toronto Maple Leafs are down 2-1 to the Boston Bruins after three games.
The hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs is that their trio of young superstars – Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander – will get them back into this series. They haven’t exactly dominated any games in the way in which everyone who watched this team over 82 regular season games knows is possible. Since they haven’t, I’d say they’re due and that that is bad news for the Bruins.
It’s not that they’ve been bad – they’ve been very good, actually – but they haven’t taken over any of the first three games, and they are therefore due.
So far William Nylander has just one assist in three games – but he’s been much better than that would suggest.
Games One and Two
Game one was a disaster. Faced with having to play the hardest minutes against what is probably the best line in the NHL, the Matthew-Nylander-Hyman line was outmatched, outclassed and utterly destroyed. Matthews and Nylander gave up close to 70% of the shots-attempts and the positives were few.
The only real game-one positive was that everyone knew Nylander and Matthews wouldn’t likely remain so useless.
In game two, both played much better. Even though the Leafs lost, and even though score-effects are a factor, Nylander and Matthews both had much better games – this time controlling nearly 70% of the play when they were on the ice.
Though this game saw Babcock split the top line up out of frustration, we saw some interesting things: 1) in the five minutes they played together, they put up an insane 90% possession rating, out shot-attempting their opponents 11-1. 2) Nylander briefly centred a line with Marner and a Marleau/Komarov combo, and they too were over 50% possession. The score effects make it hard to judge, but the versatility of Nylander, as well as his ability to drive possession are both huge positives from this game.
Game Three
In game three, William Nylander was amazing. He played 15 5v5 minutes, led the Leafs with a 60% possession rating and assisted on a goal. Arguably he was the best non-goalie the Leafs had in game three.
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Able to get away from Boston’s top line now that they were at home, the Toronto Maple Leafs top line of Hyman, Matthews and Nylander was great – and if they had some puck luck you’d be able to say they were dominant.
Overall, in game three, Nylander played 15:13, three shots and seven scoring chances, while (as mentioned) adding a primary assist and controlling 60% of the play when he was on the ice.
Overall
The bad game one, the lack of points (just one so far) and the Leafs being down have led some (woefully misinformed) fans to unfairly criticize Nylander. Despite the tendency of Leafs Nation towards nonsensical narratives, Nylander has been outstanding.
His speed and skill is apparent pretty much every time he’s on the ice, and while he often overshadowed by Matthews and Marner, he’s been every bit as good as either of them in the series so far.
Through three games, Nylander is sixth on the Leafs with a 53% possession rating, and of the players ahead of him, only Jake Gardiner also plays tough minutes. Even though the Leafs are down 2-1, the team is at an even goal differential when Nyalnder is on the ice, and through 41 minutes he’s given the Leafs an extra nine scoring chances than he’s been on the ice for.
Next: Leafs Fan From Holland Comes to Toronto for Playoffs
Look for William Nylander to continue to be one of the Toronto Maple Leafs best players and make sure you get him in on your DFS lineups tonight because he is due.
And if you here anyone talk about trading him, tell them to find a new team to cheer for.
Thanks for reading.