Nylander learns from old film of himself
CRANKS UP PERFORMANCE AFTER WATCHING VIDEO OF EARLIER IN SEASON
Turns out William Nylander is a film critic. And hardest when reviewing himself.
The fluid winger, one of the hottest Toronto Maple Leafs in a week the team missed injured sniper Auston Matthews, was asked about his career-high 32 goals in the wake of being taken off the second line.
“I actually took two games from the first 45 (earlier in the season) and randomly watched them,” said Nylander. “Then I saw two in the later half and saw the differences. It was about skating more and stuff like that. I put more focus into that and in all situations. It was a little bit turned off than in my first four or five years.
“I was pissed. I wanted to get back to the way I could play.”
Nylander is not usually so forthcoming about his deficiencies. When at first he didn’t produce goals in line with his new Us$6.9-million salary, he was criticized in some circles as soft or lazy. Then he became an integral right winger for John Tavares on the second line and when that went cold for a bit, he became part of a multithreat unit with Pierre Engvall and David Kampf.
Coach Sheldon Keefe has noted Nylander is moving his feet more and was particularly impressed Tuesday with his power play goal that woke up a slumping 2-for-25 squad that had let its league lead in that department slide.
“It’s been like that a few games now, he’s a real difference-maker,” Keefe said. “He’s skating on both sides of the puck. In Auston’s absence, we need guys to step up.”
Keefe said the Leafs certainly have the resources to allow players to use video for self-improvement.
“In today’s game, players are more dialed into their own games, have more information that’s readily available.
They can do it at home on their own. It shows he’s focused on his game, knows he has more to offer. That’s no secret, we’ve talked to him about it. Coaches and teammates can talk to you, but sometimes you need to reflect a little. Sometimes going back and watching, it can spark things for you.
“Whichever way it’s come together, he’s certainly back in a groove and there’s no better time to do it. We’re right around the corner from doing this for real.”
CALLING ON COLIN
Colin Blackwell came to work Tuesday to find his world turned upside down.
He was placed at right wing with John Tavares and Ilya Mikheyev, one of Keefe’s many experiments with Auston Matthews out. Whether it’s playing on Line 1 through 4, he’s ready.
“That’s been my bread and butter my whole career, up and down the lineup, a different role,” said Blackwell, a smaller Leaf who came in the Seattle trade for defenceman Mark Giordano. “No one’s given me a chance, I’ve had to grind at every position. I came into the league knowing I wouldn’t take anyone’s position in the top nine forwards. So, I had to reinvent my game, a centre my whole life who had to play more wing, watching older guys in front of me, learning things as I go.”
LOOSE LEAFS
The plan was for Matthews to skate Wednesday before the Leafs left for Tampa Bay. The Leafs are being vague about what is bothering Matthews, Keefe calling it “a new injury,” but one they didn’t want to rush ... Defenceman Jake Muzzin is also expected to make his return against the Lightning after missing three games with an undisclosed injury ... For Keefe, it wasn’t just that three Leafs with combined ages of around 110 combined on a goal Tuesday against the Flyers, but that they were all from Toronto — Jason Spezza, Giordano and Wayne Simmonds. Spezza made that connection, too, from different teams back to their hometown. “It’s great we’re all here, we all care deeply about this organization and the city. We’re here to provide leadership and also good play on the ice. We, more than anyone, feel the pride of being from Toronto, knowing what’s at stake and trying to bring success in the playoffs to this city.”