William Nylander was terrific for the Toronto Maple Leafs during a 6-4 victory over the previously undefeated Winnipeg Jets, registering a goal and two assists, while hounding down pucks throughout the contest. Nylander was placed on a line alongside John Tavares — who scored a hat-trick, including an empty-net insurance goal — and Max Pacioretty, who authored a three-assist game and made a very strong case to remain in the lineup.
Nylander had been primarily paired with Max Domi and Bobby McMann to start the year, and reflected upon the differences between both lines following Toronto’s victory.
“We weren’t getting clear looks and stuff in the past couple games, so sometimes the switch-up is good. I thought both lines I’ve been on have been playing really well,” Nylander said post-game via David Alter of The Hockey News.
WILLY SNIPES! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Qh5JZTqIEx
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 29, 2024
Nylander, Domi and McMann has often functioned as Toronto’s starting unit, with McMann’s speed and tenacity and Domi’s lateral playmaking standing out to begin the year. Lineup changes were necessary amid the three-game streak and the Pacioretty-Tavares-Nylander line combined for four goals and a 10-2 shot differential at 5-on-5 during Monday’s victory.
“I think whether it’s to make a pass or to shoot it, to extend a possession or to attack the net, Willy’s instincts are elite. They’re as good as any winger in the game,” Tavares said of Nylander post-game.
Nylander looked reinvigorated during Monday’s game and tossed a gorgeous no-look pass to Morgan Rielly for a 4-0 lead during the second period. He added a secondary assist after dropping a pass back to Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who fired a shot from the point, where Tavares picked up the rebound for his second goal of the contest.
Ew. pic.twitter.com/IfklS2U9sD
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 29, 2024
Nylander leads all Maple Leafs with six goals through 10 games and is one point behind Mitch Marner for the team’s overall scoring lead. It’ll be compelling to see if Berube runs the same lines Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, although one would figure he’s keeping the forwards intact after bursting out of a week-long slump.
