Nylander ‘feeling great,’ could return to Leafs today

BOSTON AT TORONTO, 5 P.M.

William Nylander took a pass from John Tavares and wheeled toward the net.

The Maple Leafs winger then deftly fed the puck against the grain on a tee for Mitch Marner to blast a one-timer from a sharp angle.

The power-play sequence was only a practice drill. It was also one of many positive signs for the player — and a team that’s opened the playoffs minus one of its key contributors.

Nylander appears on course to join the action today for Game 4 against the Boston Bruins with Toronto facing a 2-1 deficit in the teams’ first-round series after he missed the first three contests due to an undisclosed injury.

There was nothing definitive on the 27-year-old’s status Friday — such updates are treated like state secrets in the NHL postseason — but all signs pointed to the talented forward returning to the fray.

“Feeling great,” Nylander said following practice. “The games are crazy to watch from home. It’s never been so nervous in my life.”

The Swede wouldn’t discuss what’s kept him out of the lineup, but said it hasn’t been an enjoyable experience. The Leafs lost the best-of-seven opener 5-1 in Boston, rebounded with a 3-2 victory in Game 2, and then fell 4-2 in Toronto on Wednesday.

“I don’t like it,” he said of watching. “First game was crazy. We had so many chances those first two minutes. My heart was just … I don’t know what was going on.”

The Swede’s arrival in the series would be a welcome boost for Toronto’s attack, which has scored six goals in nine periods and is just 1-for-11 on the power play.

“Very important player for us,” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “But getting him to full health and making sure he’s ready to step into a series of this calibre and this time of year … that would be the next step.”

Nylander put up 40 goals for the second straight campaign and set a career-high with 98 points in 2023-24.

“A world-class player,” Tavares said. “Continues to grow and be such an impact player for us. One of the league’s great game-breakers. We’ve seen it throughout his time here.”

Nylander, who skated on a line with countrymen Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg before Game 3 and again Friday, has missed time due to illness at different points in his career, but hadn’t been sidelined with an injury since November 2016 until this series.

“To miss these first games in the playoffs is really tough,” he said. “This is the time you want to play. Hopefully, I’m back soon.”

Tavares knows what it’s like to look on from afar. Toronto’s captain suffered head and neck injuries early in his team’s firstround series against the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, which the Leafs lost in seven games despite leading 3-1.

“You don’t have any influence on the game,” he said. “The type of brotherhood you create and develop in here, it’s not easy.”

Nylander has stayed patient despite not being involved to date.

“It is what it is,” he said. “There’s nothing to really stress about. Can’t force yourself back in the game. I’ll be ready when I’m ready.”

MATTHEWS SITS

Leafs star Auston Matthews (maintenance day) skipped practice. The 26-year-old had two goals, including the winner, to go along with an assist in Game 2 before being held off the scoresheet Wednesday.

“He’s given us everything that he has,” Keefe said of the 69-goal man. “You want to make sure as a coaching staff and a medical staff we give him every opportunity to be at his best.”