William Nylander returns to Maple Leafs lineup for Game 4 against Bruins
William Nylander has joined the Stanley Cup chase.
The Maple Leafs winger was in the lineup for Game 4 of Toronto's first-round playoff series with the Boston Bruins on Saturday night after sitting out the first three contests with an undisclosed injury.
Nylander, whose team trailed Boston 2-1 in the best-of-seven Original Six matchup entering play, scored 40 goals for the second consecutive regular season to go along with a career-high 98 points in 2023-24.
The 27-year-old also had 10 points in 11 playoff games last spring as Toronto won a series for the first time since 2004.
Rookie winger Nick Robertson stayed in the lineup on the fourth line alongside David Kampf and Ryan Reaves. Connor Dewar was the odd man out. Leafs defenceman T.J. Brodie, meanwhile, took the spot of Timothy Liljegren on the blue line after he was a healthy scratch to open the series.
Game 5 goes Tuesday in Boston. Game 6, if necessary, would be Thursday back in Toronto.
“It'd be huge,” Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe said Saturday morning of Nylander's potential addition. “Any time you get one of the top players in the league back in your lineup, it's a pretty positive thing. He does a lot for us.
“He can change a game at the snap of a finger … Willy's important to our group.”
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said deciding which player would come out of the lineup wasn't a slam dunk.
“Not an easy decision whatsoever,” Keefe said. “Dewar has done a tremendous job in his own place in what we've asked of him.”
Nylander's absence was the first time he'd missed time due to injury since November 2016.
The Swede's introduction was a welcome boost for Toronto's attack, which had scored six goals in nine periods and was just 1-for-11 on the power play entering Saturday.
Also part of a penalty kill that's surrendered five goals on 10 opportunities to the Bruins, Nylander took warm-ups on a line with countrymen Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg after also lining up that way before Game 3 and again at Friday's practice.
“A key player for their team,” Bruins defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk said. “He's lethal, he can score, make plays, gives added firepower. He's someone that you definitely worry about and have to plan for. We're certainly aware of that and know what he can do.”
He added Boston planned to lean on Nylander as much as possible.
“Even when you're playing Game 1, when you're healthy, the speed ramps up, the intensity ramps up,” Shattenkirk said of playoff hockey. “We just have to make it as uncomfortable as possible for him.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Nigeria's fashion and dancing styles in the spotlight as Harry, Meghan visit its largest city
Nigeria's fashion and traditional dances were at full display on Sunday as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in its largest city, Lagos, as part of their three-day visit to the country to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.
Montreal man facing charges following contraband drone drop at Millhaven: OPP
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a 40-year-old man from Montreal is facing charges following a suspected drone drop of unauthorized items at the Millhaven Institution.