Recent News: Following his statement, the coach of the Boston Bruins was fired.
Boston — Following his team’s 5-1 defeat to the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe did not present his club with a lineup update, as he has promised since the start of the game.
This also applied to William Nylander, who participated in all 82 regular season games but was sidelined for the game due to an undisclosed illness.
Keefe responded, “No updates on William,” when asked if the player had been able to skate at all.
What about the player’s condition? He had to miss his first game since 2016 due to an injury.
“No further updates on Willy,” he said.
Before playing the Bruins in Game 2 at TD Garden on Monday, the Leafs did not practice on the ice on Sunday. Rather, they decided to watch game film and prepare largely from their hotel.
UPDATE: Nylander was observed skating at Boston’s Warrior Ice Arena with the other Leafs scratches, albeit it is entirely voluntary.
Nylander’s teammates felt his absence in the first game.
“I mean, Willy does so many great things for us,” defender Jake McCabe of the Maple Leafs remarked of Nylander. “He can obviously create plays on his own, seemingly out of nothing at all, and he poses a threat to us offensively all over the ice. He also kills penalties for us.” He therefore serves as a competent room leader for us.”
The defensemen most likely offered the most insight into Nylander’s emotional state.
“Yeah he’s seemed to be in good spirits today so I’m not going to speak too much on it,” added McCabe.
In 2023–24, Nylander recorded a career-high 98 points and 40 goals for the second straight season. The Leafs could have used him on both special teams units on Saturday in addition to his expanded penalty kill responsibilities. He had struggled on the power play, going 0-for-3, and giving up two goals to Boston on power plays.
About Nylander, Ryan Reaves remarked, “He’s an enormous part of our team.” “A player who can carry the play, put the puck in the net, break it out on his own, and do a little bit of everything.”
“Those players are essential, especially during the postseason. Yes, he has been missed. I’m not sure of his current situation, but hopefully he’s set to go. Without a doubt, you want a healthy group.”
Nylander inked an eight-year, $92 million contract deal with the Maple Leafs following a scorching start to the previous year.
