William Nylander could play in Game 3; Auston Matthews skips Leafs’ morning skate

TORONTO – William Nylander appears to be getting closer to returning to Maple leaves‘ line up.

The star winger’s status for Game 3 of Toronto’s first-round playoff matchup against the Boston Bruins, as it has been in every series, is also up in the air.

Nylander participated in line races alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg in Wednesday’s morning skate after missing Games 1 and 2 with an undisclosed injury, but stayed late on the ice at Scotiabank Arena with projected scratches of the team.

“There’s a possibility” leaves head coach Sheldon Keefe said of the 27-year-old preparing for the Original Six showdown tied at one game apiece. “For him, it all depends on how he responds, and it goes from there.”

leaves Winger Nick Robertson, who replaced Nylander in the lineup, did not stay out late due to scratches, suggesting he expects to play.

Toronto center Auston Matthews was absent from the session, but Keefe said the team simply decided to keep him off the ice. The sharpshooter scored the game-winning goal and added two assists as part of a monster performance in Monday’s 3-2 win in Boston.

Nylander played in all 82 regular-season games, scoring 40 goals for the second consecutive season and setting a career-high with 98 points, but recorded just four assists in his final 11 games.

“He means a lot to this team,” he said. leaves Winger Mitch Marner, who has no points in the series. “He’s done a lot for us offensively to make our team stand out.”

Nylander has missed time due to illness at different points in his career, but had not been sidelined by injury since November 2016 until this series.

He leaves and the Bruins will meet for the fourth time in 12 years in the first round. Boston won the previous three series (2013, 2018 and 2019) in seven games.

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery was asked about the uncertainty surrounding Nylander’s status.

“I hope he’s not playing,” he deadpanned.

Nylander scored four goals and 10 points in 11 playoff games last spring as Toronto won a series for the first time in nearly two decades. He has combined for 17 goals and 40 points in 50 career playoff games.

“We’ve had some guys come out with big things and others really step up; nothing really different now,” Marner said. “Just make sure we’re doing the same thing, the same direction, trusting everyone along the lineup.”

He leaves and the Bruins will have 48 hours off between Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series.

Keefe is pleased with his team’s response without one of its key contributors for six seasons of playoff hockey.

“We have to move forward,” he said. “Our game plan, if Willy returns to the lineup, doesn’t change. How you should play and what it takes to win this time of year is the same no matter who is in or out.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2024.