Maple Leafs: William Nylander Has As Many Goals As Entire Habs Roster

The Toronto Maple Leafs pushed the Montreal Canadiens to the brink of elimination Tuesday night in Montreal.

After splitting the first two games in Toronto, the Canadiens were optimistic heading home, but the Toronto Maple Leafs took both games, on back-to-back nights, no less.

The Leafs won the game 4-0 and William Nylander scored his fourth goal of the series.  That is the same amount of goals as the entire Montreal Canadiens roster.

William Nylander has a goal in every game of this series, as well as six in his last nine playoff games.  Only 18 players have scored more than he has over the last two NHL seasons.  Less if you count playoff games.  Of these players, only two played as few total minutes as Nylander, who it must be noted, is not always on his team’s first power-play unit.

William Nylander: Playoff Performer

Not only is Nylander one of the NHL’s best scorers, he routinely is among the best players at creating scoring chances, driving play, entering the offensive zone with control of the puck and retrieving loose pucks.

Last year he led the NHL in net-front goals, something usually reserved for players with a Power Forward-type reputation. He can now add proven playoff performer to his resume.

If the last two seasons had not been shortened, Nylander would for sure be a back-to-back 30 goal scorer, and he would possibly have a 40 goal season under his belt.  He is currently posting a 58% Corsi-For, 55% shots-for and a 62% expected-goal percentage in these playoffs, after posting a 60% CF, 59% SF and incredible 65% expected-goals in the regular season. (all stats naturalstattrick.com).

He is, quite simply, one of the best players in the National Hockey League.

As for the game itself, the Leafs were the best team for the fourth straight game and now seem to be on the verge of finally getting to the second round.  Jack Campbell was unreal, for the second straight game, posting his first ever playoff shutout and generally being the best player on the ice.

For a guy to start the season as a back-up goalie and then finish it by outdueling the legendary Carey Price in four straight playoff games, capped off with a shutout, is quite the leap.  Campbell is having the kind of run you always hope will one day happen to your team, but which you usually don’t see even if you have a star goalie.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now heading home, looking to finish this thing up in five games.